When Fear Threatens to Overtake You – Link Up

Sometimes the only thing worse than failing at your dream is succeeding.

It all sounded good in theory.  This grand plan.  God’s calling.  You setting out for the unknown trusting God’s plan and His hand moving you well out of your comfort zone.

You stepped out of the boat just like Peter.

Peter walked on water.  He saw Jesus, Jesus asked him to step out of the boat, and he did just that.  The brave man stepped out to walk on water.  What?!?!?!?  Matthew 14 says that while all the other disciples were terrified Peter got out of the boat, “and walked on water and came to Jesus.”

Peter reached Jesus.  Then this happened:  “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”  Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him…”  Four things happened in that moment.

(1)  Peter saw the wind.

Have you ever seen the wind assail your dream so violently that you nearly begged to go back to Square 1?  That place that was oh so boring but oh so safe.  That durn wind.  It can nearly knock you over.

(2) He was afraid.

That’s what happens.  You’re rocking along, headed to Jesus, walking on WATER for goodness sake!  But then you realize you are walking on water.  In the wind.  And well, folks can’t walk on the water.  On a calm day, much less on a windy one.  You look around and try to swallow the stuff coming up in your throat.

(3) He cried out to the Lord.

Well, you’ve got to give him credit.  He failed a little on the faith test there with the fear, but boy he went straight to calling out to Christ for help.  How many of us would have just drowned instead?

(4) Jesus IMMEDIATELY reached out His hand and took hold of him.

Do those words flatten you?  Jesus already knew that Peter would fear and would call for help, and He was ready in that INSTANT to take hold of him.  He took hold of him.  Sister, He is right there.  Right.  There.  A breath from you.  Standing by for immediate help.  He knows how big this thing is.  He knows how scary this thing is – that no human mind can conceive the things God has prepared for her (1 Corinthians 2:9).

It is SO good to be brave.  To step out and walk on water.  But walking on water with the wind pushing against you can be terrifying.  We serve a God who gets that.  (<==== Click to tweet)  He is prepared for the fear too.  Cry out to Him.  He will have you in an instant.

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This week we’re writing about Why It’s Okay That You’re Scared Silly.  Are you struggling with fear today?  Has God stepped in to rescue you from a scary season in your journey?

Share your story on your blog and link up with other God-sized dreamers below.
{For those who don’t have a blog, we invite you to share in the comments or on Facebook.}

Let’s all display the link up photo so we can find each other! Click here for link.

{Prompts are from Chapter 12 of Holley’s devotional, Opening the Door to Your God-Sized Dream.}

We have loved linking up with you beautiful dreamers for the last few months. We’re going to take a break from this link up for a bit, but have exciting news to share!
On Tuesdays, starting April 1st, we are going to feature guest posts from God-sized dreamers.
And rather than give a prompt, we’re opening the weekly link up to ALL God-sized dream posts!