A Godly LifeSample

Fear of failure Fear of rejection is what keeps low-performing salespeople from becoming top producers for their company. Fear of rejection keeps a man from daring to ask a woman for a date. Fear of failure keeps a promising athlete from competing for a place on the team. Fear of mockery keeps a younger employee from applying for a higher-ranking job. Fear of failure also keeps people mum about their faith in Christ. They don’t want to risk criticism or risk bungling the message. It seems safer to keep still. Jesus has great compassion for our fears, for he felt them all, but he refuses to do our talking for us. He wants the gospel to touch every person on earth, but he waits for us to speak up. And he doesn’t leave us with a blank playbook and an empty toolbox. His Word brings us the thrilling content the world needs to hear. His Spirit gives the gifts we need to get the message out there, and he gives also the courage to stand up to those who think the gospel is foolishness: “Make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict” (Luke 21:14,15). Don’t be afraid. Just open your mouth, tell the story in your own words, and let Jesus keep his promise to supply the extra words and wisdom.