KEY SCRIPTURE: John 11:8 KJV “His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?”

In our previous study, we looked at how events that may threaten our achievement in life function. This time we would consider some of the conditions that can generate this kind of fear, and consider also how we could make them insignificant.

Fear in any form is rooted in low esteem of who God is to us. Isaiah 8:12 KJV” Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this person shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear nor be afraid. Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”  This scripture instructs us to set the Lord apart in our hearts. Make Him bigger, greater, and mightier than anything, person, or condition. Meditate on His greatness over a great while of time.

Now some instances or condition that creates fear, may not cause one to make advancement in life.

1. One may be gripped with fear if he is to make a venture into a new business terrain. Such fear is a result of little knowledge in that grey area. Seek counsel. Gather enough information about that venture from those who are well-informed about that area. Prov. 24:6 KJV For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in a multitude of counsellors there is safety.

2. When meeting a person of authority whom one has offended. If you happen to go meet such a one, you need to find an elderly person, whom that person of authority respects to go along with you. Ask him or her to speak for you.

3. Undertaking a project that is far bigger than your resources. You should move from resource to your source, and that is God. Be convinced that this is a work to glorify God alone, and also to be a blessing to men. Then act on the word of God for divine provision to get that job done.

4. One other fear that most Christians have, is the fear to meet strangers or others for the first time to share the gospel with them. The fear is what is going to be the response of such a person to you. Do they have difficult questions for me? Would I be able to answer them? All these anticipations are tricks of Satan to prevent you from meeting with people. The truth is, it is a real joy to be meeting new people every day. In Ghana, only a handful of people will really be antagonistic to you. The next attitude to help you overcome this kind of fear is to acknowledge that, the master has commanded you to go share the gospel. You are under compulsion, and must only obey that command. Paul says Woe is me if I preach not the gospel. Fill your mind with such thoughts, and make it drive you to be a daily witness of Jesus.

CONFESSION

I sanctify the Lord of host in my heart. I make Him my fear and my dread.  I give no place for fear of any man, condition, or situation. With my trust in God, nothing can put me down.

FURTHER STUDIES

Jer 1:17 KJV “Thou, therefore, gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them”.

1 Co 9:16 KJV “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”