I've Learned to Welcome Fear--Really!

I took a deep breath. My heart fluttered. I felt as if I'd swallowed a cantaloupe.

It's impossible, God! I thought. What You are calling to me is NOT humanly possible.

God remained silent. Don't you love those one sided conversations?

I mean seriously God, are you sure you have the right person? It's too big! I can't do it!

I waited for a response. Still nothing.

And then, a flood of verses filled my head. I have chosen you. You are MY servant. MY mouthpiece. I will go before you and make the rough places smooth. What is impossible with man is POSSIBLE WITH GOD. I alone am God and will NOT share my glory with another...

And, the verses continued...on...and on...and on.

Oh, how many times I've had these experiences. Moments filled with confusion suddenly silenced by the magnificence of my GOD.

The other morning as I drove to Orlando to meet with a dear friend, God filled the sky with a freshly painted sunrise. I thought to myself...I don't have a clue how big God really is. Every morning and every evening He paints a new sunrise and new sunset all across the world...in multiple locations...cities...nations. I caught a small glimpse of just how big He is. I thought to myself and even prayed...Lord, how can something so finite ever truly comprehend that which is infinite! My greatest attempts to understand or explain you fails in its very attempt. I can only ascribe to you what I've experienced...but YOU supersede my greatest revelation. And through that sobering conversation, I realized that I could come to grips with my fears and reservations...maybe even welcome fear. After all, without fear I'd fail to recognize my desperate need for God.

So, how about it? Feeling afraid? Does fear attempt to stifle your faith? Does it whisper your impossibilities and imminent demise? Does it heighten your short-comings?

Good. You're in a great place! Seriously! The truth is fear is inevitable; YET...Fear does NOT have to be our master. Romans 8:15-17 says, "you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." (NIV)

Thus, fear does NOT have to remain a constant tormentor; instead it should merely identify our frailty that points us to the need of our Savior.

Think about this...Fear itself is NOT evil, after all fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 111:10 says: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise." (NIV)

So, let's harness fear (by the Spirit of God) and let fear be an indication of our need for God. Instead of praying God take this fear away...instead...pray God I know I'm not big enough but You are. I know I can't but I trust that You can. Let's take every thought captive to the cross and submit our spirit of timidity to the endless authority and power of God.

Let's use fear to press in to our only hope...and fall back knowing HE'S GOT IT ALL UNDER CONTROL.