Confront Your Fears

Several years ago, my parents dropped me off at a high school that was about seven hours away from home. It was a boarding house, and I only had the opportunity to visit home when the school was on holiday. It was an interesting journey of my life as a young teenager in a faraway state from home, as a boarder. I planned to enjoy every bit of the experience, even though most times I was homesick. School was hard to adjust to because I was always shielded, and to a great extent, I had most things I needed or asked for, but here I was in a faraway town with very strict conditions and not allowed to bring along all the "comfort amenities" I would have loved to have. It was a good training ground for the future ahead. I learned to make do with any little I had at any time.

A few years went by, and one day, there was a fire incident that occurred, and everyone was asked to vacate the school immediately. We had just one hour to evacuate the school. We had no mobile phones or any way to get across to our parents at that time, and we weren't given time at all; our one hour was ticking fast! As a young teenager, I was so afraid and didn't know what to do. My heart raced with fear, many questions ran through my mind as I was packing my belongings. How do I get myself back home? I have never been on a trip by myself; how do I navigate my way home, which was about seven hours away? What if I miss my way and get lost? How do I travel with total strangers on this long trip? I was filled with great fear, and tears began running down my cheeks. I told myself I was in trouble already with no help.

I knew it was time to "wear my big girl pants", confront my fears, and take charge. I knew I had to get home safely in one piece anyhow possible with God's help. One thing I was grateful to God for was that I had enough money on me, so at least I wouldn't be stranded. I prayed, believed God for help, and before long, I embarked on the journey. Traveling with two of my friends who were also teenagers that lived close to my home somewhat made it easy, even though we were all afraid too. As a team, we confronted our fears and walked through the "fire" together. I braved it and navigated my way home with my friends. Oh, how I prayed all through the trip without closing my eyes to sleep. What a journey that was!! 

I am reminded of another story in the Bible about the Israelites. Exodus 14 tells us of how Pharaoh's horses and chariots, horsemen and armies, all pursued the Israelites to stop them from going to the promised land. In front of the Israelites was the Red Sea, and behind was their enemies Pharaoh and his armies, who were determined not to let them go free! There was no place to run to, and as Pharaoh approached, the Israelites were afraid and cried out to the Lord. God in his mighty power asked them to move forward! Scripture reminds us in Exodus 14:13 "God said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today, you shall see them no more. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” They had to confront their fears and move forward. There was no time to be afraid but to keep moving, and as we see in the following verses, God split the Red Sea for the people to walk through and drowned all of Pharaoh's army. Praise God!

Many of us have been in these fearful situations where we have no choice but to keep moving, some have fallen short due to fear and simply quit. Some are going through the fire right now, hoping that somehow they will make it to the other side. Some are still in situations that are really troubling right now; it may be your failing health, a fearful diagnosis, death of a family member, some facing depression, drowning in debt, just confused and some may not know where their next meal will come from. I am here to announce to you that you will make it through if only you will dare to confront your fears, invite God and walk through by faith! Yes, you might not have all the answers and it may seem that God has forsaken you, remember that the Lord is with you. God wants to help you through it, and all you have to do is ask him for help. Psalms 46:1 reminds us that "God is our refuge and strength, our very PRESENT HELP in the time of need." The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge, so do not accommodate fear but bring God into the scene, ask him for help, and follow his command. God will never lead you astray; he is the God of grace and will make all grace abound towards you. He is with you, let that sink in! Let faith in you arise knowing you have God who cares so much for you and will definitely bring you through. He is God over ALL and nothing happens without His knowledge. Absolutely nothing takes God by surprise.

Fear is not of God. It is a weapon the devil uses to cripple and hinder you from moving to the next level. Fear is the fuel the enemy uses and the devil has nothing on you unless you give him something to work with!! Get rid of that fear quickly and don't give the devil a foothold in any area of your life. Write that exam, go for that doctor's visit, begin that project, start the assignment God has placed in your heart; even when all hell is breaking out, never stop but go through it. God can and He will split the "Sea" for you at anytime. He will bring you out for He cares that much for you!! Ask God for help in any unpleasant situation you find yourself, confront your fears and by all means, move forward! God is watching over you and nothing will go wrong; God has your back!

Remember, you are a child of the most high and fear has no power over you! Confront your fears with faith and with God, you will come out victorious!