According to experts, what people fear most is the fear of death. I disagree. After writing a book on the topic, it appears to me that people are more afraid of the unknown. What’s worse, they allow this fear to hold them back from setting goals to having a family and everything in between.
A few days ago, I received an email from a sweet woman who has two healthy children and longs for another. Yet, she has decided not to have another child because she fears her luck will run out and the child will be born with disabilities. My heart aches for her. She is bound by the fear of the unknown. God never intended for her to live this way. In fact, He never intended for any of us to live paralyzed by fear.
Reading her email along with several others caused me to wonder. “What’s holding me back from fulfilling the desires of my heart?” What’s holding me back from living out my dreams, setting goals, reaching for the stars? What’s hold me back from trusting God in the face of challenge? What’s keeping me from believing in His promise?
It’s nothing less than fear. Fear distracts and robs us of these things.
Anytime I stop too long and look at my circumstances, I run the risk of being distracted. God does not want me to be overwhelmed by what I see, don’t see or by what I experience. He wants me to be well informed so that I can make good decisions. Otherwise, I would miss His best.
Satan, on the other hand, wants me to become so wrapped up in what’s going on around me that I fail to trust God and follow His plan. The enemy wants you and me to live in fear. He knows if he can spook us, he can prevent us from dreaming, planning, growing and living.
When we learn to live life by faith instead of fear, the future becomes hopeful. When God instructed Joshua to cross the Jordan River, He also promised to go with him every step of the way. Did that mean there wouldn’t be obstacles? No. Did that mean he wouldn’t face sorrows or troubles. Absolutely not. But God had made a promise to Joshua and His people. God promised to lead them to the promise land. But before they received this blessing, they had to follow several steps.
Over the next few days, you and I are going to follow some steps that will lead us away from fear and toward a life of faith.
Step one: Seeing God’s Promised Provision.
Never forget that God gives us the desires of our hearts. Who do you think puts those desires there in the first place? So often, we doubt instead of dream that the impossible can be ours. The same was true for the children of Israel. When they reached the Promise Land, they were hesitant to claim what God had promised. Why—because there were giants in the land. Suddenly, they were distracted by their circumstances. Instead of trusting God and claiming their promise, fear made the desire of their hearts seems impossible.
I’ve faced many giants in my life. Each became a roadblock to my dream. The same is true for the mother who longs for another child. Fear of having an unhealthy child has become a roadblock in her life preventing her from receiving a wonderful blessing. It took years for me to learn that when I view life from a limited perspective, I won’t go very far. I’ll miss God’s best. God sees the bigger picture and he knows what must take place in order for me (and you) to reach our full potential.
When God makes us a promise–to go with us every step of the way–He can be trusted no matter what the future holds.
What about you? Is the giant of fear blocking you? Is it holding you back from all God’s intends you to be? Is it keeping you from enjoying some blessing? Then join me this week as we move forward through unknown territory by faith.
I look forward to hearing from you this coming week! Our family is in the midst of transition. Currently we are in a period of waiting, not knowing exactly what is next for our family and I realize I’m not allowing myself to dream big or plan much because I am distracted by the “what ifs”. Instead of looking with excitement at what God may have next in our lives, I’m finding myself living like an “Eyeore” fearful of a little black rain cloud that could be hovering nearby ready to dump buckets of rain and negative things upon us. It seems so silly as I write it out, but it’s there and Satan knows its effect to bring about discouragement, fear and paralyzing thoughts.
Thank you so much Micca- I truly needed that. I do let fear hold me back. That is NOT what I want. I have had Fybro for over 6 yrs. It is hard living in pain. God gets me through everything. I know God has great plans for me (Jer.29:11). I let the disease hold me back. Please pray not only for me to be healed, but for me give it all to God. With Love and Prayers,Shawnia. Phil4.:13
I am totally looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this week about the topic of fear. I am a graduate student in my last year of study, and I have been feeling the strains of stress from school, work, interning, and relationships. What I have come to realize is that these stressors have implemented a feeling of fear; fear of post-graduation, future plans, etc. After reading this message I am reminded of 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
I’ve been filled with fear for as long as I can remember…on so many levels and with so many different things. It’s a tool of the enemy’s. It paralyzes us – making us unusable and unfruitful. That’s no way for a Jesus follower to live. That’s why I look forward to reading what you have to say about all this fear stuff. So glad I stopped by!
Micca, as I was reading your blog today I was thinking how I let fear control me daily and this came to mind
F – Face
E – Everything
A – Aware that God is my protector
R – REJOICE
Thank God for you, your blog and how HE speaks through you. God Bless You.
Dear Micca ~
This very morning, I told God that I want & need His Truth to displace the “fear” I have allowed the enemy to use to dominate my life for the last fifteen months…
I told Dad that I do not know how to allow Him to accomplish the “task at hand”…Because I do not know how to stop remembering the painful “issues” that took root in my life in January, 2010!
I do not know how to keep the painful “issues” from directing my thoughts and actions!
If I could do that, well, then, all would be well with my soul…
THEN I could go “forward” with Him!
Knowing our Dad, though, He has a different plan for me to “go forward” with Him…
AND, it is not by “forgetting”, it is by “allowing” Him to be God in my life, despite my “memories”!
“Knowing” in my head that Jesus is sufficient to do that and “Allowing” Him to be sufficient, are two different things!
Thus, my struggle in “letting go” of the past in order to be “Free Indeed” in the present!
This is the conversation I had with Dad this morning…
Then, I came into my home and turned on my computer…
There, in my Proverbs 31 devotional, I read:
“The Truth About Fear”, by Micca Campbell…
Coincidence?
NOPE!
God-Incidence?
YUP!
I just want so much to be the woman of God that He desires me to be…
God used your devotional to give me His “jump start”!
Thank you…
My husband and I trusted Jesus as our Savior on Easter Sunday, 1979!
Next Sunday, we will celebrate our 32nd birthday with Him!
Sitting here, however, I shake my head and wonder why God even puts up with me!
If ever there were a person “without excuse”, it is me!
Like Paul, I know what I want to do and do not do it…
Like Paul, I know what I do not want to do and I do it!
The proverbial spiritual “Catch-22”!
I see that you will be at Stonewater Church in Granbury on April 29-30!
I am praying that God will provide the way for me to travel from East Texas to be with you for this event…
He knows my circumstances… He knows what it will take for me to attend!
Lastly, I thank God that He is using you in His mighty way to help sister strugglers like me…
I thank you for allowing God to use you to help sister strugglers like me!
If I do not see you before, I will see you when we get to Heaven!
I am so grateful that your precious Porter is there!
I look forward to meeting him too…
Blessings, always,
Your ‘Twin Blister’,
In Him ~
P.S. I Love You…
Thank you for this series. I lived 54 years before I learned to trust God. I lived with anxiety. I wanted the comfortable perfect life for my family. I was anxious, always, that something would happen. I tried to mask this constant fear with a positive attitude, but I had a fearful heart. I cannot remember not being a Christian. But, I really wanted to help God by controlling everything I could, praying prayer in fear rather than in faith. Then my worst fears came true. My first grandson, born early, had to face obstacles, but God was good. The next year his father was diagnosed with cancer. My precious young son, father, husband had cancer. Through this 4 year journey. I dragged my feet in surrendering to God what was His all along. I am a work in progress. I look back and cannot believe the beautiful days I spent fretting, worrying and fearful. I loved God, but did not trust Him. I am so sorry that it took this and so long before I realized the gift of peace God gives us when we let Him take control. Life is a journey. It is too precious to waste in fear and angst. My son continues his way to his cure.
I have another adult child who learned to model my life of control and fear. I pray that my husband and I can be guided by God to help him with his issues, too.
Thank you again for encouragement. I look forward to reading your book.
Kelly says
I look forward to hearing from you this coming week! Our family is in the midst of transition. Currently we are in a period of waiting, not knowing exactly what is next for our family and I realize I’m not allowing myself to dream big or plan much because I am distracted by the “what ifs”. Instead of looking with excitement at what God may have next in our lives, I’m finding myself living like an “Eyeore” fearful of a little black rain cloud that could be hovering nearby ready to dump buckets of rain and negative things upon us. It seems so silly as I write it out, but it’s there and Satan knows its effect to bring about discouragement, fear and paralyzing thoughts.
Shawnia Holler says
Thank you so much Micca- I truly needed that. I do let fear hold me back. That is NOT what I want. I have had Fybro for over 6 yrs. It is hard living in pain. God gets me through everything. I know God has great plans for me (Jer.29:11). I let the disease hold me back. Please pray not only for me to be healed, but for me give it all to God. With Love and Prayers,Shawnia. Phil4.:13
Meagan says
I am totally looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this week about the topic of fear. I am a graduate student in my last year of study, and I have been feeling the strains of stress from school, work, interning, and relationships. What I have come to realize is that these stressors have implemented a feeling of fear; fear of post-graduation, future plans, etc. After reading this message I am reminded of 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Katie says
This is so good for me.
I’ve been filled with fear for as long as I can remember…on so many levels and with so many different things. It’s a tool of the enemy’s. It paralyzes us – making us unusable and unfruitful. That’s no way for a Jesus follower to live. That’s why I look forward to reading what you have to say about all this fear stuff. So glad I stopped by!
Have a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Kate 🙂
Jennifer Renee says
Oh, Micca, this post is so on time. I’m doing the study of the book It’s No Secret with Melissa Taylor and last nights conference call was about fear.
Judy says
Micca, as I was reading your blog today I was thinking how I let fear control me daily and this came to mind
F – Face
E – Everything
A – Aware that God is my protector
R – REJOICE
Thank God for you, your blog and how HE speaks through you. God Bless You.
Jo says
Dear Micca ~
This very morning, I told God that I want & need His Truth to displace the “fear” I have allowed the enemy to use to dominate my life for the last fifteen months…
I told Dad that I do not know how to allow Him to accomplish the “task at hand”…Because I do not know how to stop remembering the painful “issues” that took root in my life in January, 2010!
I do not know how to keep the painful “issues” from directing my thoughts and actions!
If I could do that, well, then, all would be well with my soul…
THEN I could go “forward” with Him!
Knowing our Dad, though, He has a different plan for me to “go forward” with Him…
AND, it is not by “forgetting”, it is by “allowing” Him to be God in my life, despite my “memories”!
“Knowing” in my head that Jesus is sufficient to do that and “Allowing” Him to be sufficient, are two different things!
Thus, my struggle in “letting go” of the past in order to be “Free Indeed” in the present!
This is the conversation I had with Dad this morning…
Then, I came into my home and turned on my computer…
There, in my Proverbs 31 devotional, I read:
“The Truth About Fear”, by Micca Campbell…
Coincidence?
NOPE!
God-Incidence?
YUP!
I just want so much to be the woman of God that He desires me to be…
God used your devotional to give me His “jump start”!
Thank you…
My husband and I trusted Jesus as our Savior on Easter Sunday, 1979!
Next Sunday, we will celebrate our 32nd birthday with Him!
Sitting here, however, I shake my head and wonder why God even puts up with me!
If ever there were a person “without excuse”, it is me!
Like Paul, I know what I want to do and do not do it…
Like Paul, I know what I do not want to do and I do it!
The proverbial spiritual “Catch-22”!
I see that you will be at Stonewater Church in Granbury on April 29-30!
I am praying that God will provide the way for me to travel from East Texas to be with you for this event…
He knows my circumstances… He knows what it will take for me to attend!
Lastly, I thank God that He is using you in His mighty way to help sister strugglers like me…
I thank you for allowing God to use you to help sister strugglers like me!
If I do not see you before, I will see you when we get to Heaven!
I am so grateful that your precious Porter is there!
I look forward to meeting him too…
Blessings, always,
Your ‘Twin Blister’,
In Him ~
P.S. I Love You…
Sherry says
Thank you for this series. I lived 54 years before I learned to trust God. I lived with anxiety. I wanted the comfortable perfect life for my family. I was anxious, always, that something would happen. I tried to mask this constant fear with a positive attitude, but I had a fearful heart. I cannot remember not being a Christian. But, I really wanted to help God by controlling everything I could, praying prayer in fear rather than in faith. Then my worst fears came true. My first grandson, born early, had to face obstacles, but God was good. The next year his father was diagnosed with cancer. My precious young son, father, husband had cancer. Through this 4 year journey. I dragged my feet in surrendering to God what was His all along. I am a work in progress. I look back and cannot believe the beautiful days I spent fretting, worrying and fearful. I loved God, but did not trust Him. I am so sorry that it took this and so long before I realized the gift of peace God gives us when we let Him take control. Life is a journey. It is too precious to waste in fear and angst. My son continues his way to his cure.
I have another adult child who learned to model my life of control and fear. I pray that my husband and I can be guided by God to help him with his issues, too.
Thank you again for encouragement. I look forward to reading your book.