Whatever we’re afraid of controls us. So, to a large extent, we are controlled by our fears — fear of failure, fear of heights, fear of darkness. God promises us hearts of courage and self-confidence, but that requires us to trust Him, which involves another fear — losing control.
MESSAGE BY WARD PIMLEY
YEARS AGO, I WAS RECRUITED for a high-profile position to handle press and media outreach, but just before my interview, the recruiter blasted me with this revelation: “You do not show the level of self-confidence that someone with your skills and accomplishments should have. Am I wrong?”
GULP.
“No, you’re not wrong,” I replied, sheepishly, wondering how I had gotten myself into this mess.
Here I was being recruited by a benefactor to leave my temporary position for one with high-visibility that could leverage even greater opportunities … and before I had the interview with the hiring authority, even before my benefactor sat down for our pre-interview “pep” talk … he was telling me I needed to shape up … and quickly.
That incident, which took place more than 25 years ago, has haunted me since. (Also, I was not hired.)
The matter came up recently when a Christian brother, speaking harsh truth into my life, brought up the very same point! I hadn’t changed! I still was groveling about in self-deprecation, undermining whatever good qualities, energy, and determination I have, so that I underachieve.
Both men were saying, “We could use you; you could be an asset to our organization, but we’re concerned that when the going gets tough, you’ll shrink back into your cocoon. In other words: you’ll quit on yourself, and not be the asset you could be.”
~GOD’S CALLING~
IS THAT GOD’S CALL for our lives?
Not according to Scripture.
“Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (CSB)
God made a clear call to obedience, self-confidence, and courage when Joshua — who had been Moses’ understudy and deputy — was thrust into leadership of nearly three million Jews when Moses died.
Joshua’s job? Lead God’s chosen people into the Promised Land, property promised to Abraham’s descendants some 400 years earlier.
Not an easy task. To succeed, God needed Joshua to “buck up” and lead this unruly bunch. His words to Joshua have become a rallying cry for generations of leaders since then:
“Haven’t I commanded you; be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 CSB
~ROYAL PRIESTHOOD~
GOD GOES SO FAR as to call us — those who call on His name — a “royal priesthood” and a “chosen people.” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)
Pretty neat, isn’t it?
We’re talking the Creator of the Universe here, the Alpha and Omega of existence, from Everlasting to Everlasting, and He calls us to be His royal priesthood and chosen people, to be brave and courageous, to avoid being discouraged — He even commands it! — and assures us He’ll walk alongside us.
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul admonishes his young understudy, Timothy, to the same principle, to avoid giving into his fears and to strike out boldly, knowing the power of God is with Him.
“For God has not give us a spirit of fear,” Paul wrote, “but of power, love, and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7 BSB). The CSB calls it “sound judgment”: the NKJV says “sound mind,” and the NLT says “self-discipline.”
Whether your Bible says “self-control” or “sound judgment” or “sound mind” or “self-discipline” or even something else, it’s clear, isn’t it, that we’re called — commanded, even — by God, Himself, to break free from our crippling fears and embrace the power and confidence God is so eager to bestow on us.
~MAN’S RESPONSE~
THE MOST LIKELY outcome is to pay lip-service to the words of God’s assurance.
We nod our heads in acceptance, determine to do better from now on … and then, when the moment has passed, retreat into that familiar lair we’ve built for ourselves, most likely the one we constructed during our childhood and have been reinforcing ever since.
I know my lair is a comfortable spot. No one is allowed in to spoil the mood, and I can feel totally content, listening to the busyness of everyday life passing me by.
It’s not what God wants, and somewhere I can recognize it’s not what I want, either, but sometimes — maybe often — we choose the familiar over the beneficial.
Hiding from our fears for some of us is like an alcoholic taking a “quick drink” or an overweight individual making room for another piece of pie or a confirmed gambler convinced he’s just making the sporting event “a little more interesting.”
It’s an addiction, and as such, it cripples us. It keeps us rooted in one spot, far short of the goal line.
~GOD’S RESPONSE~
FORTUNATELY, GOD, in His love for us, provides the way out.
He reaches His hand toward us, beckoning us to reach back. As we begin to stretch our arms, we hear a voice … softly at first, then louder as we continue to stretch:
“Fear not, for I am with you,” the Voice says. “Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,” the Voice continues, growing louder, clearer, more distinct. “Yes, I will help you, I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV)
At the moment our hands clasp, I can imagine His strength passing into my fingers, then trickling into my palm and wrist, and finally pouring into my arm and through my entire body.
His assurance is enough for me.
Paul apparently felt the same way:
“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Romans 7:24-25 (ESV)
~PRAYER~
FATHER GOD, we take our burdens to You and lay them at the foot of the Cross. We know Your love; we know Your call on our lives. Help us to reach out our hands and grasp Your extended hand in trust. In Jesus name, we pray.
Ward's Words | BY WARD PIMLEY 