Move Forward: Master Your Fear!

Do you believe God has laid a dream, a longing, or a direction on your heart—but your mind is filled with panicky thoughts: what if, how will I cope, and I can’t do that—God, please don’t ask me? Fear is one of the greatest barriers to moving forward—whether it’s into a new relationship, job, ministry, or action that stretches and takes you beyond your comfort zone. But fear does not need to control and rob you of what God desires for your life.In his challenging book, The Dream Releasers, author and pastor, Wayne Cordeiro writes about visiting cemeteries and wondering about the unrealized dreams of those buried there. He speculates about the unwritten poems, books, music, unattained success, unfulfilled promise, and lives that fell short of God’s intended purpose.You and I are not in the grave yet! Nor do we have to stay in a rut, comfortable as that can be. God calls us to press on, to run with perseverance the race He has set before us (Philippians 3:12; Hebrews 12:1-2). To do this requires that we master our fears about the unfamiliar, challenging, and stretching call of God on our lives.Let me ask you: Have you ever examined your fear and looked at where it comes from? Fear might be triggered by past experiences, but most often it comes from what we tell ourselves.

• When our mind is fixed on ourselves and our finite capabilities, we only see what we think is possible.
• When we tell ourselves what we can’t do, rather than what God can do, fear engulfs us.
• When we fix our eyes on potential problems, instead of fixing our eyes on the presence and power of God in us and working for us, fear erases our commitment to follow His direction.
• When we allow fear and anxiety to rule our emotions, it destroys the peace that comes when we exercise our faith in Jesus Christ.
• When fear controls you, your experience of God’s reality and power in your life is limited.

What’s the answer if you’re fearful about following God?

• Joshua was told to be strong, courageous, and not afraid. His new role was going to be challenging, but God promised to be with him. Keeping that uppermost in his mind gave him the confidence to move forward (Joshua 1:1-9).

What about you? Will you step forward because He has called you into His purposes?Being a natural wimp and scaredy cat, I frequently cling to a God-given, perspective-changing promise found in Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

Let's Talk: How have you experienced the reality of this promise? I’d love to know. (If you are an email subscriber and want to comment on the actual post, click here to visit the blog and leave a comment.)

In my next post, I’ll share a powerful story of being in the grip of fear and how God brought me peace!

This post is part of my Daring to DREAM series. Click here to view all the posts in this series.

Tweetables:"Fear does not need to control and rob you of what God desires for your life. http://wp.me/p2JdPr-Se #DaretoDREAM via @Choose2Grow" - Click here to tweet this."God calls us to press on with perseverance the race He has set before us. Tips on facing fear via @Choose2Grow: http://wp.me/p2JdPr-Se" - Click here to tweet this.

Poppy Smith

International speaker, multi-published author, Bible teacher, and spiritual coach

Inspiring Women to Thrive! 

Permission to use this article is granted provided the following credit is fully included.

Poppy Smith is funny, warm, and passionate about helping women grow spiritually and personally so they experience the love and power of Christ in life’s ups and downs. A former teaching leader with Bible Study Fellowship, Poppy has a Masters in Spiritual Formation and ministers extensively as a retreat and conference speaker both in the US and around the world. For more information about Poppy’s heart, her books and ministry, please visit her website at www.poppysmith.com.