The Fear of Forward

Pros – cons; good – bad; right – wrong; good decision – bad decision; press on – hold back; go – stop; etc.  You could spend your whole life gathering information and “thinking” about decisions that must be made.  I try to gather information for all the decisions that I make.  This is considered WISDOM.  But I also believe that too much information and too much thinking about what to do and how to do it can reach a point where it becomes detrimental to the progress of the “desire”.

What are you afraid of?  I think the answer is simple – FORWARD! You have a fear of forward!

Proverbs 16:9 .  Did you catch that? You make the plans but God orders the steps to make things happen.  He’s got your back.  You have nothing to be afraid of.  He knows the way you take and He’s determined to lead you on to what is next and where He can get the greatest benefit from your success.

Even though it looks dark in front of you, He’s gonna cause you to take a quick left turn up ahead and then you will be able to see that allusive light at the end of the tunnel.  You wanna feel the warmth of the light; the peace of knowing you’ve stepped into what you were called to; the relationship you never thought could be yours; the joy you thought was unattainable.  It’s all there in simply following the steps of faith through uncertain places and situations.  The key is the hand you hold as you face your fears.

The fear of forward is due to the unknown.  Weighing out the options is critical, but if your fear is so great that it keeps you from attempting to live your dreams, you will never accomplish anything and you will forfeit what rightfully belongs to YOU! Or is it the dreaded response of “them”?  “They” can certainly cause you to fear forward.

Several weeks ago I told God and a few friends that I was desperate to get to that place past the fear of forward and be able to say, “Thank God, I made the decision to…”.  Spiritually, I want to stand on the Promised Land side of Jordan River and be able to thank Him for the boldness and courage (just like Joshua) to press on.  I can’t go back.

Wandering around in circles avoiding the fear of forward is NOT for me!  I must move forward.  I must press toward the mark.  It belongs to me and I refuse to fear “what if”.  How many times has “what if” held you back in fear of some impending danger that never happened?

“What if”…I fail? …they won’t accept me? …it’s a mistake? …I won’t like it? …I lose it all?

BUT “what if” …you succeed? …you are right? …you make the right choice? …you find love? …you gain it all? …God has incredible blessing for you just waiting on the first step? …you get your miracle? …your life is changed forever? …you regret NOT making a move? …you could not fail in this faith journey?

OPEN!

It’s time to open up the door and overcome the fear of forward.  I ain’t skeer’t!

You gonna eat that?

Psalm 23:5a NLT - “You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies…”

Battles are expected.  Struggles are anticipated.  Life happens.  Disaster occurs.  Sometimes we face loss.  People are people.  You can’t force others to be civil or logical.  In fact, you cannot force people (even those who SHOULD know) to have integrity or honesty or respect for others or to be spiritually minded.  A friend of mine posted a Facebook status this week of “…Insanity = trying to get those who don’t know you and criticize you, to like you and try to understand you!”

God is so good that He provides a banquet right in the face of the enemy, our struggles and our pain.  When I think of a feast or a banquet, it brings to mind thoughts of celebration and laughter and peace and simply “good times”.  But what if you are eating with the enemy, struggles or pain?  Sometimes you just don’t even feel like eating.  You’re troubled, upset, mad, stressed, sorrowful… God knows that you need strength when you are fighting battles.  You need your energy.  You need stamina.  You need some substance in your life.  Sit down a while.  Eat a bite.  God has what’s needed to sustain you.

Proverbs tells us that God causes the enemies of the righteous to be at peace with them.  If you are the righteous, you can live in victory even in the face of the enemy! Come on.  You’re an overcomer!

Don’t reject the food that is set in front of you.  I make my own kids at least try something before they reject it.  They may love it or make all kinds of faces of disgust to “prove” that they don’t like it…and I’ll just laugh at them (isn’t that what parents are suppose to do?)  They may even act as if they don’t like it but then I catch them eating it later.  Some things simply grow on us because we see the value and goodness it brings.  “Taste and see that the Lord, He is good.” It is the initial taste test that scares people away.  What if I don’t like it? Well, I say, what if it becomes your favorite food?  You’ll never know until you try.  Sushi, anyone?

You may not enjoy the pain or the struggle or having to face your enemies, but God knows what He’s doing.  If you’ll just eat what He’s placed before you, I bet you will be pleased with what it will do for you!  So, you gonna eat that, or what?

Romans 8:28 / Hebrews 5:13-14