Have you ever suffered intense worry, anxiety or fear about something in the future? It’s a useless question, isn’t it? Of course you have! We all have—and some of us just about every day. Fear in all its forms is the most common human emotion. And the enemy especially uses it to keep us from the blessings or freedom God wants for our lives.
My Own Future Fears
I’ve certainly faced my share of future fears. Some 10 years ago, I left an area and friends that I loved to move to a location where I didn’t know anyone, all in order to help a ministry in some tremendously difficult times. Though I knew God called me to the move, I still had great fear about what the future held.
Some five or six years later, I felt God call me to step out into my own ministry, and make some significant personal and financial investments in order to begin. I had no idea from where the money would come, or if my efforts in ministry would have any kind of success. At times, the feelings of fear were almost overwhelming.
And more recently, I needed to have a series of difficult conversations with some people. If I thought too long about these meetings, my mind raced with fears about their potential reactions.
The Key to Pressing Through Fear
Years ago, some profound words from a famous missionary, Elisabeth Elliot, were significantly helpful to me. After facing some almost debilitating fear herself, Elizabeth wrote: “Sometimes fear does not subside, and one must choose to do it afraid.”
Elisabeth’s words ring so true in my life. In every situation when I faced a significant fear, I had to do it with shaking knees, butterflies in my stomach and a lump in my throat. In each case, I pressed through the feelings of fear by holding to a promise God gave Israel: “The Lord your God who goes before you, He shall fight for you” (Deut. 1:30). Essentially, every time I envisioned the future and felt shaken by all the possible negative outcomes, I interrupted my worries with the truth that “God is going before me; He’s already working on the hearts and the situations so that they’re ready for when I get there.”
Today, I can say that in every circumstance, God was faithful; none of what I feared came to pass.
What Do You Need to Do?
Is there a difficult task God has called you to? Is there a situation you need to confront or something you need deal with? Though you might feel fear at times, you can do what’s necessary knowing that God has gone ahead of you and is preparing the way. So step out. Make that move. Deal with that issue, trusting that God is here, even in the places that you fear! {eoa}
Kyle Winkler equips people to live in victory. His mobile app, Shut Up, Devil!, is the #1 spiritual warfare app; and his book, Activating the Power of God’s Word, uncovers 16 strategic declarations to transform your life. Kyle holds a Master of Divinity in biblical studies from Regent University. Get daily encouragement from Kyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
