When It Is Not of God

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version)

There have been many times when the fear I was experiencing was definitely not of God. It was not a reverential trust in Him. It also was not a safe guard against danger. It was an emotion that could keep me frozen in my tracks and unable to experience life as God meant it to be experienced. Many were the times I feared taking a step in a certain direction because I believed by doing so would guarantee a consequence in which I wanted no part. I never questioned the source of my fear or the possibility that the fear was unfounded. I simply allowed it to be a stop sign to me and a hindrance to any movement.

There have been times in the past when I have decided to move a “stop sign” out of the way and step out uninhibited by speculative thinking. That which I feared would happen didn’t! Did this mean I should have acted sooner? Maybe not….I don’t know. What I do know is that testing the waters proved to be a good and necessary thing at the time. It gave me the freedom to test the validity of a fear that had kept me from actually walking in power, love, and a sound mind. Each time the experience would serve me well in future situations.

Often times, walking by faith will entail risks. I run the risk of being wrong, of being hurt, of being adversely affected, or of being thrown for a loop. When that happens I know Who to turn to for comfort, counsel, and further direction. I am not helpless or hopeless even when I face unpleasant consequences. I am human but my Father is God and He will see me through any wrong turns. As He does, I will come away all the wiser for it. As my pastor once said, “Even our sinful choices can teach us life lessons if we are willing to learn.”

On the same token, if I don’t take some steps of faith, I run the risk of missing out on intended blessings, spiritual growth, godly insight, and adventures intended for me to experience. I, for one, do not want that to be the predominant theme of my life.

It will take many trial and error moments to gain the insight and discernment I need for this journey. I would rather make and recover from some mistakes because of risk taking than continue to live life with a fearful stance whereby I miss out on the aspects of the abundant life God continually offers me.

Father, that which I fear happening does not always take place and I am so glad! Take me further on this journey than I have ever been before. In both victory and failure I will praise You. Lead on O King Eternal. Amen.

Voice of Truth - Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwsvqVmFV6Y

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.