Have you ever been afraid to step out in faith? If so, you are not alone. Following Jesus when it is scary is difficult. Our enemy satan preys on our insecurities to prevent us from moving forward in faith. The good news is if the Lord is asking you to do something He will also help you accomplish that.
The Scriptures are filled with people who have been asked to step out in faith that were afraid. Moses was a shepherd for 40 years before God called him to lead the Israelites, but he was not eager to take this responsibility. Exodus 3:11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 God answered, “I will be with you. [1]
Moses is described as a great hero of the Bible and one of the greatest people of faith, yet he too struggled to get out of his comfort zone. The enemy likes to isolate us and tell us we are the only one who is afraid, and reality that is not true. It also shows us how much we need to depend on God to overcome barriers in our life.
Ananias was Scared to follow the Lord’s Instructions
The Lord loves to stretch His children so we can grow in faith and trust in Him and that can be a scary experience for any of us. In the conversion of Saul, the Lord used Ananias to go and pray for Saul after he was blinded. Ananias was not so sure he wanted to follow the Lord’s instructions, but with the Lord’s assurance he moved forward.
Acts 9:11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” 3 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” 15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.[2]
The Lord Will Help us When We are Scared to Follow
What does it mean to trust the Lord when He calls me to difficult things? How can we keep following Jesus when it is scary? We need to trust what He says. The Lord tells us many times, “I am with you.” These were also the last words Jesus spoke to the disciples before He ascended into heaven. (Ref. Mat. 28:20) Saul would later write these words as the Apostle Paul. Romans 8:31What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? [3]
When fear comes and it will, we can turn to Jesus. With His help we can be overcomers. Is the Lord is calling you to step out in faith? Take the hand of Jesus and let help you. With Jesus we can overcome barriers together. Keep following Jesus when it is scary, be encouraged here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-has-more-a-call-for-paul
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.