‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

-Isaiah 41:10 (NASB)

Ever feel like you should be doing something, but fear is stopping you? Fear comes in many guises, often masquerading as ‘common sense’ or the wisdom of ‘thorough investigation.’ In reality, I know I often procrastinate out of pure, unadulterated fear. The longer I put off what it is that God would have me do, the more I suffer for it. More often than not, God does not need to punish me — I do a good enough job of it myself when I refuse to obey His word. Fortunately, He loves me enough to correct me when I stray far enough in the wrong direction.

Sometimes when God is attempting to move us in a different, unknown direction we hesitate. While it is important to know whether or not what we think we are supposed to do is from God or not, that is usually not as difficult as we tend to make it. A simple prayerful consideration of the scriptures will often reveal the path we are to take.

The Holy Spirit is an unbelievable source of strength and security for me in my daily walk with Christ. Left to my own devices, I fall right into sin and the temptation of the flesh, not to mention all its attendant fearfulness. Thank God for His unbelievable grace and unending supply of mercy.

Thank God my salvation is not dependent on ‘works’ as a justification for my sins. His grace is sufficient.