Join us this Sunday! In-Person 9:00am & 10:45am, Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Join us this Sunday! In-Person 9:00am & 10:45am, Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Join us at the next Sunday worship service:
In-Person
9:00am & 10:45am,
Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Is Fear Holding You Back?

“Descendants of Jacob, I, the Lord, created you and formed your nation. Israel, don’t be afraid. I have rescued you. I have called you by name; now you belong to me.” Isaiah 43:1(CEV) 

Do you know anyone that doesn’t seem to have any fear? Probably not. Most people spend part of their life living in fear. Fear of upsetting people, fear of being inadequate, fear of failing, fear of change, fear of death, fear of being alone or failing at your job, marriage, or parenting. Fear is a challenge we all face. And fear can hold us back from living life the way God intended us to live. 

An example is the story of the 12 spies sent to scope out the Promised Land. God’s people were at the very brink of the Promised Land. They had just been rescued out of 400 years of slavery. They had walked through the Red Sea and had watched the Egyptian army drown. They had been miraculously guided through the wilderness, and been promised a land flowing with milk and honey. Miracle after miracle. Blessings after blessings. All they had to do was trust and obey God. But in spite of all they had seen and experienced they were afraid and as a result, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. 

Ten of the 12 spies gave a “bad report” because the obstacles to their occupying the Promised Land were giants. Do we view our challenges and/or problems today, as intimidating and too big to tackle?  The ten spies missed an opportunity. We too will miss opportunities if we don’t view God as bigger than our enemies. We will miss what God has in store for us if we give in to fear rather than trust Him in faith. 

The way to our promised land is not always easy, but it’s worth it. God had promised His people a land that would be full of blessing. It was worth fighting for, it was worth going the distance. But to take the land would stretch their faith and force them to face their fears while depending on God. We too will have to face our fears as God leads us into our own “promised land.” Whenever the Lord gives us “land to take” there will be times when it seems like there are insurmountable obstacles in the way. Unless we clearly see God as big and our problems, in comparison, as small, we will inevitably choose to remain in the wilderness.  

Whatever your giant may be, you can overcome it in the same way David defeated Goliath. The young shepherd boy faced a giant who was nearly ten feet tall probably almost twice his size. Yet David’s eyes weren’t on the size of his enemy, but rather on the size of his God.  

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are fears hindering you from living the life God wants you to live?   
  2. What can you do this week to start dealing with those fears? 

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