Fear is paralyzing. Big challenges go unaccepted; big jobs remain undone. The “what if” gets in the way of the “what can be.” I remember taking an evangelism course a number of years ago that defined fear this way: False Expectations Accepted as Real.
The ideal New Year’s Resolutions are simple, limited in number, and principle-based. Here’s a possibility: In 2010 I will give no place to fear. In the spiritual realm, fear looks to human power rather than God’s power. Down at the church house, fear sacrifices possibilities for improbabilities. The Old Testament is filled with stories of those who overcame fear to demonstrate God’s power: Abraham, Gideon, David, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel…. One can easily come up with a much longer list with a little thought.
Paul’s admonition in Philippians 3 remains a good guide: press forward to escape complacency, unshackled from the memories of the past, spirits buoyed by what is before, press forward. The concept of pressing forward is that of hot pursuit. It is more than following, as it is translated in some versions. It is energetic, but to merely press forward may not be intense enough. Pursue the things of God–regardless!