From the time we were nothing but foetuses in our mothers’ wombs, God knew us, and He knew all our days. (Psalm 139:13-16) He knew exactly how He wanted to use us and where He wanted to take us. He also knew what we would be interested in – music or maths or accounting or art, and He placed in each and every one of us a dream. But what may be keeping you from realising that dream is fear.
Fear is damaging and it is crippling. It prevents you from moving. Trust me, I know. I have been afraid of failure, of not being capable enough. But you know what that did for me? Nothing! Fear helped me in no way. It just trapped me in negative thought cycles. It kept me from getting to where God wanted me to be and to the level God wanted me to be at. It held me back from my dreams. And it may be doing the same to you.
But you can be set free from that when you understand that the devil uses fear to keep you from your destiny. This is something I learnt after listening to a sermon by a woman named Priscilla Shirer, and found it to be quite true. Just think about it. The things that you are often most afraid of doing are the things that will have the greatest impact on your life; on your future. But what stops you from doing them? Fear. Fear stops us from doing incredible things. Take Peter for example.
Don’t Get Back in the Boat
In Matthew 14:29-39 on a stormy night when Peter sees Jesus walking on the water he asks Jesus to call him out onto the water as well. But when Jesus does, Peter gets intimidated by the wind and begins to sink. Jesus grabs him and they get onto the boat, and the wind ceases (v32). Did you notice something here? The wind ceased once Peter was back in the boat! If Peter wasn’t focused on the wind he could have walked on water, but instead he let his fear get the better of him and keep him from doing the amazing and impossible. He let fear drive him back to a place where he felt most safe.
You may be like Peter. God may have called you to do something amazing. Maybe God has called you to preach the Word in a foreign country. Maybe He is leading you to start a company but you don’t know the first thing about running one. Your first response might be “No, I can’t do this. I don’t know how.” But you must know that fear is the wind driving you back into the boat. Don’t let it force you there. Don’t let it keep you from doing the great and good works that God has set aside for you. Keep your eyes on Jesus and He will help you do what you feel is impossible.
God Will Equip You
The dream God placed in your heart may be out of your comfort zone, it may call for you to do something that you feel that you are incapable of doing out of your own strength. But you know what? That’s good. God never chooses people who are qualified to do his works. Look at David. He is one of the most famous kings in the Bible, yet he was nothing but a shepherd boy when he defeated Goliath and when God called him to be king of Israel. (1 Samuel 16:11-12, 1 Samuel 17:30)
What you must know is that when God places a desire and dream on your heart, He will equip you and enable you to do what you must do. He won’t let you walk the path alone, just as God said to Jeremiah that He would put His words in his mouth (Jeremiah 1:9) God will do the same for you. He will give you the ability to accomplish what He wants you to accomplish. You can do all things through Him. (Philippians 4:13)
We Have Not Been Given a Spirit of Fear
Each one of us is going to make a great impact in this life. That is not to say that we will all become famous, but we can all impact the lives of those around us greatly. However, this can only happen if we allow God to use us and if we actually take a step into the direction of our purpose. What can help you do this is remembering the Word and what it says about fear.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
1 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
God has given us a spirit of power!! To do all that He has prepared for us to do. He has not given us a spirit of fear. So when you feel that fear feeding on your mind, beat it back by declaring this truth as you step out into what God has prepared for you. You may be afraid at first, but the more you feed on the Word and its truth the more you will become empowered, and begin to believe what it tells you. It will give light to your soul and strength to your body and mind, and the more you declare it the more its truth will become true in your life.
His Plans for You Are Good
Lastly, remember that God’s plans for you are good (Jeremiah 29:11). God’s thoughts towards us are thoughts of peace and He only wants the best for us. And if the dream or vision in your heart is truly from God, trust that it is good, that He will help you accomplish it and He will supply all your needs. (Philippians 4:19)
So as you move towards your dreams, be strong and courageous. Do not let fear rule your heart, you are a child of God and there is nothing you can’t do.
