Has fear ever kept you from accomplishing God's purpose for you? I have. I have been working through many of my fears lately. I know that God has called me to some level of ministry speaking. This made me squirm. I'm a naturally shy person and this didn't seem to fit to me. I was reminded of 2 Timothy 1:7 which says
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind."
Fear is not from God. He's the one who gives us the ability to do what He has called us to do. So now came conquering other fearful goals. I knew that starting a devotional blog was on the list. I had stopped myself from doing it being fearful that people wouldn't read it or care what I wrote. I came to the realization that my true audience is an audience of ONE. That fear started to crumble. Leading a Bible study was next. I knew that was something God wanted me to do but I kept putting it off. Satan kept whispering to me that I couldn't do it. The song Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns reminded me of what I could do once I trusted Him and turned my back on my fears.
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
"Whenever I'm afraid, I will trust in you" ~Psalm 56:3
Allow God to conquer your fears and trust that He has given you the ability to do His will!!