captain Picard’s voice: “Space, the final frontier…” - the final boundary, the final border they needed to pass, to discover what lies behind the unseen. These fascinating words made me think of my own “final frontier” that holds me back from discovering the unseen plans that God has for my life. What is holding me back to truly enjoy the abundant life He has given me? I realized: it's fear! Fear of the unknown.
In our current Bible Study on the book of Gideon, there are a lot of examples and
learning moments that have to do with fear and insecurity. I have and sometimes still struggle with fear, and I’m sure I’m not alone. Fear of the dark. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of abandonment. We can go on…There can be all kinds of fears in our lives that paralyze us. The dictionary says that fear is an emotion that is induced by a threat perceived. A threat against us or one of our loved ones will either keep us from moving forward or makes us do irrational things. And it doesn’t even have to be a real threat, only perceived. The “what if’s” of life, where we look at our circumstances and make up some not yet existent threat, cause us anxiety and fear. Statistics say that 70% of the
things we worry about will never come to fruition.
In the Bible God says to us over 300 times: “Fear not!” He knew we will struggle
with this. “Do not fear, for I’m with you; do not be afraid, for I’m your God. I will
strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous hand.” Isaiah 41:10
The God of the Universe promises to be with us through everything. He will strengthen us, He will help us. “What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” Paul says in Romans 8:31. Nothing can take the reins out of God’s hand. Nothing in your life or my life is out of God’s control. Satan will try to create anxiety, fear, and insecurity in our lives so we will not be effective in the Kingdom of God, but he can’t control your life. We trust in Jesus’ love to save us for eternity, we must trust in His love in our everyday life.
Even Paul, after being persecuted, tortured, and suffering many things in his life, said: “For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, 39 height or depth, or any other created thing will have the
power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!”
Romans 8:38-39
So friends, next time insecurity or anxiety creeps in your life, focus on who our God is. His love, sacrifice, acceptance and promises will get you and I through our “final frontier” so we can move forward when we need to move, we can be content in our present circumstances, and we can be fruitful in the work He has for us.
“He did not even spare His own Son but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything?” Romans 8:32
Krisztina White