Fearless

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

There are many things that bring out fear in us.  From heights, public speaking and insects to the germs around us.  Some people become so paralyzed with fear that they become frozen, unable to move a muscle.  Howard Hughs, one of the richest and daring men in history, in his later years was confined to his own home, afraid to venture outdoors.  For me, that fear is is of heights.  I've come face to face with this fear this summer with the help of my friend pastor Dennis as we've hiked our share of trails in and around Portland.  At first it was easy, as we ventured into a few city parks, which boasts trails of not too much difficulty.  Then it came time to confront my fear head on.  If any of you are familiar with the Angels Rest trail in the Columbia River Gorge, then you know it is a steep climb not suited for children or those afraid of heights.  And yet, it was on this climb into the clouds that I stared my fear of heights head on!  With the help of Dennis, I conquered this monster, and I have the pictures to prove it!  Afterwards, I felt a sense of victory for staring down one of my fears.
So, what is it that so paralyzes us into feeling that we can never accomplish something?  One thing is certain, it's not from God.  As 1 Timothy tells us, we are not born with a spirit of fear, but of love and a sound mind.  Now, some fears may seem well founded, such as the fear of fire, hot stove tops and live electricity.  However, most of our fears and insecurities are not warranted.  Would a fear of speaking in public save you from harm?  Maybe some embarassment but that's all.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thinng, shall be able to seperate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NKJV

Take a look at Romans 8:38-39 and examine it in regards to your fears.  Do you have a fear of heights?  Romans 8:38-39.  A fear of speaking?  Romans 8:38-39.  Are you like Howard Hughes and deathly afraid of illness?  Romans 8:38-39!  In fact, for any insecurity that we can find, Romans 8:38-39 will have the answer.  See, there is NO fear that we can conjure up in our fleshly minds that will EVER seperate us from the love of our Lord God.  Whether fears from our past to fears of what may come tommorow, Gods love for us is still guaranteed!  Nothing will seperate us from Gods love.  There is something powerful about these verses in relation to how we live our lives.  There is NOTHING that we will ever encounter that will seperate us from Gods love in Christ Jesus.  Remember, Jesus has overcome this world, and he resides in each of us.  Are you afraid of dying?  Well, Jesus overcame that too.  As I said, there's nothing that can seperate us from God...nothing.  Think about that the next time your fears come knocking.

~Scott~