Afraid to Live

Fears of flying, heights, death, public speaking, and others are prevalent throughout our world. I am sure each of you can remember a time that you did not do something fun because fear held you back. Nothing is more restricting than fear. It can keep you from having fun, but most importantly, fear can keep Christians from effectiveness as tools in the hands of God. 

God calls us to step out in faith, as Christians, and we must listen to his call. We are not called to an easy life as Christians. Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it this way:

              "The cross is laid on every Christian. The first Christ-suffering which every man must experience is                     the call to abandon the attachments of this world. It is that dying of the old man which is the result of his encounter with Christ. As we embark upon discipleship we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with his death—we give over our lives to death. Thus it begins; the cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. It may be a death like that of the first disciples who had to leave home and work to follow him, or it may be a death like Luther’s, who had to leave the monastery and go out into the world. But it is the same death every time—death in Jesus Christ, the death of the old man at his call." (The Cost of Discipleship, 99)

The cool thing is that we don't have to be afraid to die. We need not fear the death of our physical bodies, nor do we need to fear dying to ourselves everyday. We only have to entrust our lives to the one who loved us enough to shed his blood for us. By that standard, we do not have to fear anything because if God is going to put us in a situation, he will give us the grace to get through.

Are you afraid of being unsuccessful, running out of money, or not getting married? God has a plan for you. It sounds so flippant to say that, but it is the truth. We over-complicate the whole thing: "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matthew 21:22) You want something? Then ask God for it, and trust that he will give it to you if and when he wants to. It is comforting to have someone perfect running my life for me. 

But, you say, what about when I mess up and I am afraid of the consequences? Well, let us not forget that God "causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28) If you are a Christian, then God causes even your sin to work for his purposes in your life. Notice how the verse says "all things," not "everything except your sin." This is such a mystery to me, but I am so thankful for God's grace. We can just fold our hands and say, "I am not afraid of the future because I know that it is in God's hands. And God is so loving that he will work everything out."

Amen and praise the Lord. What's that on your face? A frown? Are you sad, depressed, angry, or discontent? Don't be. God has a great plan for you. And don't be afraid - God holds the future!