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.

There are situations in life that can prompt all sorts of oppressive emotions like: fear, anxiety, anger, sadness. These emotions can be enough to make us feel like we are going crazy at times. Even if you have been trusting God and staying in His Presence, you could be momentarily caught off guard with an unforeseen circumstance.

What is important to know in these situations, is that God has already prepared a place of refuge for you. He already knew that the threats, attacks and obstacles would present themselves. He also already made provision for you to survive the most terrible threat.

In the book of 2 Kings when Assyria was threatening to attack, Hezekiah, King of Judah sought God concerning the situation. The prophet Isaiah assured him that the battle would not even take place, but more negative reports came and Hezekiah prayed to the Lord for himself. The Lord sent word of what He would do to Assyria and said that His remnant would come from Jerusalem and the survivors from Mount Zion.

One thing that encouraged me is that the place of refuge is not a cold, dark place. The survivors were in Mount Zion, which is always described in the Bible as a beautiful place. It is “the city of our God, His holy mountain…beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth.” (Psalm 48:1-2 NIV)

When the storms of life come against you, do not descend into despair and anguish – ascend to the place of refuge, joy and peace that God prepared for you. Go up the mountain where you can look down on your problems and see them from God’s perspective. How small those problems appear from up there!

When you look at life as a child of Zion, you see things from a different perspective. Seek God concerning that situation and rest in His holy mountain. Watch from the highest point where you are safe from danger and see what He does, for He is your place of refuge.

Psalm 48:1-3 (New King James Version)

¹ Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God, In His holy mountain.
² Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth,
Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north,
The city of the great King. ³ God is in her palaces;
He is known as her refuge.

Whose voice shall we trust in times of difficulty or uncertainty? Shall we put our faith in the voices of the media or leaders of this world? Shall we follow the masses of people who are operating from a foundation of fear? Or shall we trust and follow the voice of the Lord our God?

Sometimes there can be so much doom and gloom in the news that it can almost drive you to question your very existence. Life can seem hopeless if you focus on all the things that can suddenly take life away.

Truth is we each have a purpose and destiny which is not altered based on what else is going on in the world. If we focus on the voice of Lord and follow His guidance, we don’t have time to worry about the next thing to go wrong in the earth. When we allow Him to be our light, our salvation, our strength, there is nothing in this earth that we need to fear!

Do not be consumed with the cares of this world. Be wise, be cautious as the Spirit leads, and never stop living the life that He has called you to live.

Psalm 27:1 (New King James Version)

The 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?