This week, we revisit our nemesis that we have discussed on many occasions and that would be fear. Chapter 20 starts off with these verses:
"When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory" (Deuteronomy 20:1-4).
It's been said by many that when God tells you not to fear, it's too late. You're already afraid. You're fearful as you face self-doubt, along with lack of resources as you compare yourself to others who seem to have more money, more talent, and more opportunities. What's more, it's been drilled into your head and heart not to get ahead of the Lord or draw attention to yourself, so your creativity and purpose have to filter through another set of fears before they can come into the light of life. And there's already plenty of other internal enemies to deal with: fear of failure, success, looking stupid, poverty, missing the Lord—just to name a few.
You can quote 2 Timothy 1:7 all day and night and remain in your fears: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Where could you be afraid, terrified even, to step out and do what's in your heart? Where are you holding back because you're afraid of 'missing the Lord'? How are you over-spiritualizing your fear, perhaps blaming your inactivity on God not moving or confirming what you want to do or be?
I've made it a habit to assume there's fear someplace in my thinking and then to go on a search-and-destroy mission to root it out and overcome it with faith actions. I would encourage you to do the same thing, asking the Lord to show you your fear so you'll know the truth and it can set you free.
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