Has God called you to an area of ministry work but fear has you bound? In this post, I am speaking especially to those who feel called to preach, to teach, do missionary work, lead small study groups, or the like. If fear is a problem for you, you must overcome that fear so you can fully execute your calling.
When God calls us to an area of ministry work, it can be intimidating. One, because we are treading on new territory, and we tend to fear the unknown. Two, because God tends to call us to things that are bigger than we are. The intimidation can cause us to be fearful about fully embracing our calling.
Perhaps you are doing what you are convinced God has called you to do. But are you doing it wholeheartedly? Or are you half-stepping because of the challenges involved? Fear has a proper place in our life. But when fear keeps us from obeying the Lord, we must overcome it so we can fully engage our calling.
After Moses died, God called Joshua to succeed Moses. Joshua knew the challenges involved in what God was calling him to do. Joshua had been Moses’ minister (Joshua 1:1). He saw what Moses endured while leading the people. In fact, the reason Moses did not enter the Promised Land was because he allowed the people to get the best of him.
Perhaps some of those thoughts entered Joshua’s mind when the mantle of leadership fell upon him.
Inspiration for Overcoming Fear
Whatever it is that God has called you to do, He wants you to do it with all your might. You can’t possibly do that if fear is dominating your life. Consider these pointers from the mouth of God to Joshua for overcoming fear:
1. “Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:5, NASB). As a servant of God, you are never alone. He will never leave you nor forsake you. In this regard, Joshua was a witness of what God was saying to Him. He personally saw the works and faithfulness of God during Moses’ ministry.
As a church pastor, I have found it emboldening and comforting to know that when challenges come, God is with me.
2. “Be strong and courageous” (verse 6). Even though God promised to be with Joshua, He still called on him to be courageous. It is a given that whatever God calls you to do, He is with you. That’s true even if you don’t acknowledge that He is or you don’t feel that He is.
But the fact that God is with you means little if you are still bound by fear. You must make a conscientious decision to be strong and courageous.
3. “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night…for then you will make your will prosperous, and then you will have success” (verse 8).
The Word of God is priceless. With it, we can feed our faith and starve our doubts and fears. How about that for overcoming fear? Moreover, meditating on and being a doer of the Word are the means by which we can realize success in the ministry.
God has not given us the spirit of fear (2 Tim. 1:7). But fear is a part of our humanity. We must walk in the Spirit so we don’t allow fear to govern our life. If we apply the words of God to Joshua to our life, they will help us do exactly that.
“Be Strong and of Good Courage”
God knew that fear existed in the heart of Joshua. He repeatedly challenged Joshua to be courageous. For instance, God said to him, “Be strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:6, KJV). Then, “Only be thou strong and very courageous” (verse 7). And again, “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed” (verse 9).
Clearly, overcoming fear is not an option but a must if you want to do a bang-up job serving God. The key word is “overcoming.” Being human, it’s natural for a person to experience fear when called to do something new and big. But if you want to fully obey the Lord, you must overcome fear and be strong and of good courage.
Copyright © 2024 by Frank King. All rights reserved.