What Do You Fear?
When you sign up for a path of growth, I have to warn you – if you don’t already know – that you are also signing yourself up to face your fears. I am not talking about lions, tigers, bears and spiders! I am talking about your fear of commitment, fear of speaking, fear of trusting and fear of being yourself, among others. If you avoid any good thing because you are afraid of being hurt or rejected, it is time to face up to those things and grow in the fullness of who you were created to be.
I have come to the startling realization that for many years, I was running from commitment in relationships. It is shocking for me to even write that about myself. I thought I was a committed person, but the truth was, I already had my escape route planned for every relationship I was in. If I didn’t think my best interests were being taken care of, I left and didn’t look back!
Thank God He used those experiences to teach me some things about what love is and isn’t. Once I grasped those lessons He taught me that commitment in love is about pressing through the bad days, the uncertainties and the rough spots. I now understand the scripture that says “perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).” Now if I am afraid, I do not have to run as I did before. I can stay, face my fear and seek God concerning the situation. I have decided, I am not going to miss out on all the love and happiness God has for me by allowing fear to set in.
When God is the head of your life, He brings order and clarity. Fear is put in its proper place when you see your destiny laid out before you. This is no time to be paralyzed or shut out by fear. This is the time for you to seize everything that God has for you.
Psalm 27 (King James Version)
1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
