Fear ~

     “A man that flies from his fear may find that he has only taken a short cut to meet it.” -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Children of Húrin

     Fear is a very real thing; it can cripple, shame, divide, or bring out the worst in us. However, though fear can be the cause of so many bad things, it is ONLY as powerful as we let it be.

     Fear may seem to be instinctual, something we are born with, but in many situations it’s a choice. It is the choice to let  (fill in your fear)  have control over a part of your life. If you have acrophobia, you will avoid high places. You won’t go on rollercoasters, climb ladders, jump off the high dive, or rock climb. Thus, you have chosen to let your fear prohibit you from doing things.

     The root cause of many fears is self-preservation. The thing we fear may pose a threat to our safety, well-being, or comfort. Now, some fears are very healthy fears; you don’t play with fire because you don’t want to get burned. However, when we allow fear to consume us even a “healthy” fear becomes unhealthy.

     Like Tolkien said, when we run from our fears, we are waving a white flag at Satan and allowing him to claim territory in our hearts and minds. Even if it’s only a little land he will soon expand and invade other areas. Surrendering to our fear may seem the only other alternative, but that will only fuel the fear.

     Though God promised to equip Moses as His spokesman for Israel, Moses chose fear (of speaking) over faith. God still used Moses as the leader of Israel for 40 years, but Moses missed the opportunity to see God’s power supersede his fear. We do the same thing when we allow fear to prohibit us from doing what God calls us to do. We must face our fears…with God, for with Him the impossible is possible.

     What is one fear you have had that you have conquered through Christ? OR What current fear is God is asking you to surrender to HIM, so He can help you conquer? Comment below (my response will be there).

God bless you! <3

Tera