Punch Fear in the Face

In Devotional, Leadership by Andy Comer

I was having lunch with a couple of friends the other day, and they were sharing with me about their own feelings of inadequacy in church leadership.  What’s funny is, I was thinking the exact same thing about myself!!  We shared with one another thoughts we were having like:

  • “I’m not sure I have what it takes.”
  • “I don’t think I’m very good at _____.”
  • “Can God really use me?”
  • What do I really have to offer?”

Now this wasn’t some twisted attempt at getting others to respond with showers of compliments.  It was a transparent time among friends, who were honest about their fear of failure.

I think we have all been there.

  • We’re afraid to try something new because it might not work.
  • We’re afraid to start the conversation because what might the other person think.
  • We’re afraid to step out in faith because it’s too risky.

Fear wins.  And we end up settling for the mundane, safe, and cautious life.  YAWN!

Thankfully it does’t have to be this way!  You, and I, can punch fear in the face.  Whenever I begin to have feelings of inadequacy, I want to draw on these two promises from God.

1. The Promise to Finish what He Starts. 

Philippians 1:6 says, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

It brings me strength to know that it’s not my work.  My heavenly Father is the One who began His work in me, and He will perfect His work according to His plan in His time.  To perfect means to complete of finish.  God will finish what He starts!

2. The Promise to Fill us with His Power. 

2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline.”

Fear is not from my Father.  Fear is from my enemy.  My Father gives me a spirit of power, love and discipline. It’s up to me to choose which one I will listen to today.

It’s normal to have fears.  We all wrestle with them.  However, let’s not let our fears determine our future!  I want to be a man whose FAITH triumphs in spite of fear.

D.L. Moody said, “Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things that don’t matter.”

  • What area of your life today are you living in fear?
  • What steps will you take to begin living by faith?