About 15 years ago, my younger sister wrote me a letter with a horrifying statement: "You are not afraid of anything."

Where had she gotten that idea? While I have taken many risks over the years that turned out well, I've also experienced great disappointments. Because we live in different cities, my sister had rarely seen it when I had to deal with self-doubt, overwhelm, and fear.

She had only seen the end results after I worked through it.

I had to set the record straight: "You may not have seen it, but I have been afraid many times! However, I have learned over the years not to let fear stop me. I decided that I might have to take action while shaking and trembling, but I am going to do it. I'd rather deal with that rather than the ultimate pain -  REGRET." 

Courage is not the lack of fear; it is being willing to move forward in spite of it! Blessing is often on the other side of fear. 

Remember the parable of the talents in the Bible (see Matthew 25:14-30)? The man with the one talent disobeyed his master's command and buried that talent because he said he was afraid.

I used to feel sorry for that servant, but I don't anymore. The Bible clearly tells us that there is one fear that we should have above all - the fear of the Lord. That fear means that we honor and respect God enough to do what He tells us to do.

When we elevate fear above obedience to God, then our fear becomes an idol. We bow down to it every time we refuse to obey God.

How much better would it have been for that servant to have obeyed - even if he had to do it shaking and trembling! But instead, the talent (opportunity) was taken away from him because of his disobedience. The servant was unfaithful in little, so God could not trust him with more.

What has God already told you to do but you are not doing it because of fear? What is one small step you can take today to get it right? I believe that God will honor your step of faith, just as you have honored Him through taking it.

Once you know that God loves you and His desire for you is always good, then you'll be able to cast out fear and move towards the future that He has created for you, even if you have to move toward that future shaking and trembling. You can do it in confidence, knowing that God is upholding you every step of the way!

Be blessed in Health, Healing, and Wholeness,