Dangerous Questions (2)

So we're asking dangerous questions.  The kind of questions that, if taken seriously, could throw a hand grenade into the complacency in your life and mine.

Today's question:

What if today you pushed past your deepest fear with the confidence that God was with you?

I'm not talking cliff-diving here (especially onto a frozen lake). I'm talking more about the kind of fears that prevent you and me from being who God designed us to be.  The kind of fear that keeps hope from happening, that makes us lose heart.  That makes us want to give up.  That keeps us from realizing potential because, well, we'd just never do that.  Fear is such an enemy.  Here's what happens when fear gets you and me:

• We shrink back from certain relationships.
• We lose the confidence that God can use us.
• Opportunities never get seized.
• Our world becomes smaller and smaller.
• Despair gets access to the place where hope used to live.
• Risks never get embraced, and rewards rarely surface.
• God becomes a good idea, not a personal companion.

What fear did you wake up with today?  Some of you can name it.  Some of us, on the other hand, have been living with fear so long we don't even recognize the intruder any more.

What fear will you hand to God today?  Read this.  Then talk to God about your fear.  And dump it, fully confident that today, God will give you the strength to push past it.

Comments

[Laurie McNair]

This can be a scary thing to do but also very rewarding in the end.
I had a friendship that by all accounts had been ripped apart by various circumstances & mis-communications. After trying (& failing) to figure things out on my own, I eventually gave the issue over to God. In time, through much prayer & listening for Gods direction, I came to understand that it was my fear of losing this very important person that was driving the wedge in our relationship. I wasn't trusting God to be the Lord of my life--I wanted control. Once I realized this & started trusting God to lead me on this journey things became much clearer--not easier just clearer. It has taken a long time for the hurts to heal & the trust to return but the friendship that was shattered by my fear of losing this special person is being restored. What is the difference...my understanding & believing that God is with me & for me no matter what. FEAR is the devils greatest advocate. Scripture tells us to "Fear Not" 365 times. That is one "Fear Not" for everyday of the year...why? because God has our life in His hands. We are created for a purpose...His purpose. Don't let fear get in the way. It almost cost me one of the most important relationships in my life...