The Coat Of Many Fears

In Genesis 37 we find the story of Joseph  and his coat of many colors. His father had it made especially for him. It was beautiful, clean, and without saying a word, it told the other brothers how much more he was loved and adored than them.

I had a coat too. Except it wasn’t colorful and beautiful. No, it was striped with gray and a dingy white.

Oh, and it smelled a little funny.

It was my coat of many fears. I’d had it for so long I can’t remember not owning it.

Unlike Joseph’s coat which reminded him of how loved, accepted, and adored he was, each ugly gray streak of mine reminded me: I’d never be good enough. No.Matter.What.

And, it reminded me of the fears that have kept me firmly rooted in one spot. Afraid to step out, afraid of what others would think, afraid that if I did move, I would fail.

My coat whispered: “Stop trying to make your dreams a reality, you’re not smart enough, talented enough, or good enough for YOUR dreams to come true. Look at me, this isn’t the coat of a winner.”

No wonder I’ve spent most of my life going through the motions, and just getting through the day.

Finally, thank goodness, I had enough and threw the filthy rag into the garbage (I should have set fire to it for good measure).

I had grown tired of the weight of that coat, and gray really isn’t my color;). The dingy color, the foul smell, the unraveling seams were too much; I knew I was made for more.

I was ready for something different. God used His word, and His people, to show me I do have a purpose, and with this new knowledge; I put on a new coat.

I wish it wouldn’t have taken me so long to accept the new coat of God-confidence. But, once I did, and realized how much better I felt, and looked, clothed in His promises…not to mention it doesn’t smell…I never wanted to take it off.

My load now is light (Matthew 11:30). I no longer have my “coat of fears” to weigh me down.

God’s promises anchor me. They tell me I AM good enough, approved, loved, forgiven, talented, smart…

See for yourself:

Jeremiah 29:11,”For I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 31:3, “The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued to extend faithful love to you.”

Psalm 139:14, “I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.”

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.”

So, you see, if God tells me He has plans for my life, that I am loved with an everlasting love, I’m wonderful, and He has work planned for my hands prepared before I was even born; then who am I to question Him?

I shudder to think how long I wore my coat of fears (or I shall I say lies?), when I could have been wearing something beautiful that fit me much better.

It’s time to take off the filthy coat of many fears.

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It’s time put on the new and clean coat of God-confidence.

What filthy lies/fears do you need to throw out and replace with the beautiful coat of God-confidence?

Shared by: Alecia Simersky