Faith is Risky Business: Overcoming Fear

FEAR:

/FIR/ noun. An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

Fear. The dreaded emotion that so often glues our feet to the floor and prevents us from moving forward with our God-Sized Dreams. Our palms become sweaty and adrenaline pumps through our veins. Or am I the only one?

One of the things I fear is doing something I consider to be a risk. As someone who generally takes calculated risks or avoids them altogether, God is showing me that every dream He places in our hearts will require us to be bold and courageous. Whether that means praying boldly over your husband and children, applying for a job that is out of your comfort zone, or setting a new goal, it will require some level of risk.

We know it is a God-Sized Dream because we can see the gap between our capabilities, resources, etc. and what is needed for the dream to come to fruition. God wants to use this to grow our faith, while we may allow fear to paralyze us and stop us from dreaming.

You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream: Overcoming Fear

Holley Gerth describes it so well in her book, You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream:

Fear camps out right next to whatever it is you’re most called to do. That means the closer you get to your calling, the louder fear sounds. (p. 88)

Fear says….

…Look at my past. I’m not good enough to do this.

…The risk seems too great, so I shouldn’t even try.

…This dream is too small for God to care about, or too big for Him to handle.

…Someone else has spoke negatively about my abilities, and maybe they are right.

…I don’t have what it takes to fulfill this dream, not like she would.

What does fear look and sound like for you? I would like to tell you that fear won’t happen on your journey, but fear is a part of life. Sometimes fear of a hot stove saves us from an injury as a child. But what about the fear that tells us we can’t do all that God intended for us to do?

How we choose to handle that fear is what matters.

Holley reminds us that we serve a God who has called us to slay giants and walk in authority.

There’s never a time when what God asks us to do feels completely safe. If we wait for the giants to move out on their own, the roads we need to appear, and the opposition to disperse, we’ll never take possession of what God has given us. Faith without risk isn’t faith. It’s just facts. (p.102)

Overcoming fear is part of the journey to achieving your God-Sized Dream. Someone once told me that fear is the last tactic of the enemy. If you are experiencing a fear block on your dream journey, focus on what the Word instructs us to do when we feel fear.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

We are called to continue walking, knowing that we are not alone. We can choose to give in to the fear, or we can choose to fight it.

We can also combat fear with prayer. A few months ago when I was fearful and anxious, I reached out to my prayer warrior friend for encouragement. She prompted me to pray this prayer. I found comfort in saying it, and have repeated it on more than one occasion. I share it with you, and I pray that it encourages you as you overcome your fears and pursue your dreams.

Fear, you are not my friend. You are not my comforter. You are not my protector. I renounce you and I break your hold on my life from this moment forward in Jesus’s name! Holy Spirit, fill me up with your presence and in that place fear occupied, release your love over me to take its place. AMEN.

Praying that you will walk in boldness and take possession of the land!

Shared by: Stacy Jeffries