fear – PAOLOPUNZALAN.COM

WHEN YOU’RE SCARED TO DO HIS WILL

Have you ever been scared to step out in faith to accomplish what God has called you to do?

I have. Many times.

I spoke to a teacher yesterday who stood up for her convictions regarding purity in front of her class. She works in a school that is extremely secular. As a result, she got severely reprimanded for voicing out what the Scriptures say. I told her that God’s authority supersedes all human authority. I prayed for wisdom and discernment so she can do what God has called her to do.

To some it’s standing for your convictions.
For others, it may mean saying no to ungodly business practices.
Or saying no to your boyfriend who wants you to go all the way.
For a few others, it’s asking for forgiveness to let go of some form of bitterness.

Whatever your circumstance might be, it is not our ability that validates the call to do His will, but the presence of God in all that we do.

Moses in Exodus gave God a barrage of questions.
“Who am I to do this?”
“What will I say?”
“How will I do this?” (Ex. 3:11-12)
But God only gave one answer, “I will be with you.”

That’s it?
Yup. That’s it.
“I will be with you.”

You see, it doesn’t matter who you are as long as you know who He is.
And it doesn’t matter who you’ll be up against as long as you know Who is with you.

May this encourage you this week as you discover, do and delight in His will.

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PHOTO CREDIT: https://www.flickr.com/photos/128130103@N07/

WHEN THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS

Storms are a natural occurrence in life.

Your boat gets rocked and water might even get into the boat. When those times hit, it is very possible that we switch into panic mode.

The disciples of Jesus were shaken because of the storm. I probably would be too. But here’s the thing:

It doesn’t matter what goes on outside the boat as long as Jesus is in it.

Because Jesus is the Prince of Peace, I can trust that I can face any storm as long as He is with me.

He is both the Peace Maker and the Peace Giver.

He is able to make us at PEACE WITH GOD and give us the PEACE OF GOD.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Here’s a message I shared to explain this further.

“DON’T YOU EVEN CARE?”

Fear has a way of taking over.

Fear stops us dead on our tracks, hindering us from moving forward in faith.

Jesus was with His disciples on a boat on the Sea of Galilee when a squall hit. (Mark 4:35-41)

It wasn’t unusual for storms to build on the Sea of Galilee. When the cold air from Mt. Hermon which is north of the lake mixes with the warm mist of the Sea of Galilee, explosive weather results.

And it usually comes without warning. (Luke 8:24)

How I wish life’s storms come with warning. Unlike Hollywood movies that have background music to prep us when a bad scene is about to happen, unfortunately, life doesn’t have that.

But it is critical to remember the last thing Jesus told you before the storm hit.

In the case of the disciples, Jesus said, “Let us go over to the other side.” (Mark 4:35)
He didn’t say, “let’s go under” nor did He say, “I will be the only one to go to the other side while you all drown.”
He said we will all cross over to the other side.

Never doubt in the dark
what God has told you in the light.

Jesus’ word should be more than enough. Because God said it then that should settle it.

While the disciples are panicking, Jesus was sleeping.

Their question to Jesus, “Don’t you even care?”

This is predictable and typical. This is our normal response when we go through a difficulty.

My parents are about to split up, God, don’t you even care?
My sister is pregnant out of wedlock, God, don’t you even care?
My brother has cancer, God, don’t you even care?
My friend falsely accused me, God don’t you even care?

Here’s a lesson I’ve seen through the years.

If God brings you to it,
He will bring you through it.

His promise is that He will be with us to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)

FEAR IS INCREDIBLY PARALYZING

I was reading the “Action Bible” to my kids as I was tucking them to bed.

We came to the story of Jacob and Laban when Jacob left without asking permission from his father-in-law because he was afraid that he wouldn’t be allowed to leave.

In the Action Bible, the conversation when this way …

Jacob left without permission because of fear.

But little did he realize that in the background, God was already speaking to his father in law.

Many times, our decisions are influenced by the “what-ifs”.

“What if God doesn’t pull through?”
“What if I give this money for His purposes, and then the bills start piling up?”
“What if I grow old single and alone? Maybe I should just settle for second best.”
“What if my business falls apart because I keep paying the right taxes?”

Fear is incredibly paralyzing. But let me tell you that faith, on the other hand, is incredibly freeing.

When you and I understand that there’s Someone in control… Someone who runs the show, better than we can run it, then that truth sets me from from micromanaging, controlling and manipulating the situations in my life.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7)

Fear will push me to do things that may be out of His will while faith inspires me to trust that He is in charge. And because He is, I know that I am in a safe place.

Fear is incredibly paralyzing while faith is incredibly freeing.

Which one will you choose?

COURTSHIP AND FAITH

The object of your faith is greater than the reason for your fear.

I had lunch with a young man recently who wanted to pursue someone.

I asked him what was keeping him from laying down his intentions. They’ve been friends for sometime. They seem to get along well. They both have jobs. And most of all, they both love Jesus.

Was there an assurance that she will say yes to courtship? NONE.
I couldn’t give him one and he definitely had no idea if she was going to say yes or no.

But he was decided to go for it.

He said he’s prayed for it and believes that this is what God wants him to do. He is attracted to her physically, but more so spiritually because of her heart for God.

I gave him a firm handshake. I told him that I realize that he’s taking a risk but that’s all part of the adventure. I was actually proud of him.

Even in pursuing, faith is involved.

Fear can paralyze. But faith can galvanize.
Fear can debilitate. But faith can activate.
Fear desists. But faith persists.

Remember, the object of your faith (God) is greater than the reason for your fear.

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. (Hebrews 11:1, NLT)