READ: MATTHEW 10: 28-31
Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body,” (V. 28)
“Fear everything and run or face everything and rise. The choice is yours.” This quote from motivational speaker, master salesman and author Zig Ziglar grabbed my attention while doing some online research on the subject of fear. Immediately after reading the quote, I recalled an incident from my bicycle trail adventures with some friends in West Virginia. Just after we entered the trail on our 144-mile round trip journey we encountered a quarter mile long wooden bike bridge which was 200 feet high. Putting it bluntly—heights are not my thing! Some of the guys stopped in the middle of the bridge and were yelling back about the awesome view. I was hesitating to go across. Told myself, “Can’t do the ride if you don’t cross the bridge. The heck with the view—looked to heaven, focused on the other side and peddled fast and made it across. Biking gloves wet with sweat. No doubt that God helped me face this fear and rise for he knew I had two more similar bridges to cross in the miles ahead.
Now for the rest of the story. Made it across the bridges going out should be no problem coming back. A bit wobbly on the first two but got across. One more mile to the finish line. This one had haunted me for the entire trip. Despite overwhelming encouragement from the group, I put my bike on the back of our support vehicle and finished the ride on 4 rather than two wheels. I feared it and ran. Humbled and broken in spirit, I realized that I let my fear overcome my trust in God—he had me I would have easily made it across.
Jesus tells us there are times when we are going to face intense scrutiny, criticism and even opposition for living out our lives of faith. There are times when we would like to be on a high bridge to avoid our obstacles—just pass over them. Jesus does not indicate that God will eliminate our troubles but releases us from the power from them to control our responses. God knows and sees what you are facing and since he cared so much for you, he gave his son for your, (John 3:16), he will be with you as you face your challenge and gives you the power to rise and meet it head on! Your trust and dependence go to a new level and the power of your faith exponentially grows leaving you stronger and better equipped for the future.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting in the Lord means safety.” (Proverbs 10:25) Wise advice when you find yourself on your high bridges of life.
Dear Jesus, thank you for being with me when the road to Christian Living gets long, high and difficult.