Fear is one of the biggest obstacles we face when it comes to sharing the good news of salvation. When you go to share your faith, you may find yourself thinking things like, “What if I say something wrong?” “What will they think if I give them a tract?” “They might get upset at me!” or a dozen other things. These fearful thoughts often hinder us from being as effective as we should be.
So how do we overcome that fear?
Imagine that there is a Mother who is terrified of wasps. One day, she lets her little boy go outside to play. As he is enjoying himself in the play house, the Mother suddenly realizes that there is a nest of wasps right above her son’s head! Terrified, she calls to her son and tries to direct him out of the play house. But as the son tarries, the wasps get disturbed and begin to attack him. With no hesitation, the Mother races to the play house and grabs her son and carries him to safety, not even thinking about herself. What made her overcome her fear of wasps and save her son?
1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
“Perfect” has the meaning of “complete.” God showed His perfect or “complete” love by sending His Son to pay the price for our sin so we could be back in fellowship with Him. When God looks at someone, he sees an individual whom He already paid the price for and whom He wants to be saved. God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9b).
It is God’s perfect love that combats fear! God is love, and He dwells in us—so His love is in us. His love sees a poor, lost sheep needing rescued.
Now, if we saw people as God sees them, how would that change your thoughts about whether or not you should offer a tract? When we view people from God’s perspective, our focus will shift from ourselves and what others will think of us or do to us, and we will have His love for them. This love will give us a new boldness to share Christ with them because it overcomes the fear!
Our grocery shopping didn’t feel like it was starting well. One little challenge after another seemed to come up.
Like having to get back into the car to get out quarters, even though I had mentioned it while driving; because I already forgot!
And once I got across the parking lot, I realized that I had left my purse in the car!
On my way there, I felt kind of annoyed and silly. But then I remembered the verse God had just given me before leaving for the stores.
“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.” ~Job 22:21
I had decided to look up the word “Acquire”. To my surprise, it means:
To be of use or service, benefit.
Accordingly, I had written:
How neat that good WILL come as we go out and obey the Great Commission because we ARE willing vessels “of use” and “service” and “benefit”.
So God brought this to mind in the parking lot and I was able by HIS grace to Rest in Him as I saw things from a “new” perspective.
Who cares what is going on? At least I am a vessel for Jesus no matter how long things take, or where I am. Does anything else technically matter? Plus, He had us with the right people, at the right time.
So don’t get off track because of set backs; (be alert against spiritual attacks and use your authority in Jesus Name as needed). But also realize God is in control and you really can trust Him and be at rest simply as a vessel wherever you are. (Even if it’s back in the parking lot to the car again!)
~Mary