Lately, I have been confronted with an emotion – fear.  I have found in several situations and conversations with people that fear is a powerful and present reality.  I am talking about Christians stalled by fear.  Fear of the future seems to be the major factor.  When you strip away all the worries and get right down to the bare bones of the issue – it is the future.  Uncertainty drives most people mad.  We all deal with it on one level or another.

Consider the bold faith of a guy like Caleb in the Bible (Old Testament – Numbers 14 and then Joshua 14).  He was one of the select men who was called to recon Canaan.  He was of the minority opinion that Israel should go in and take the land when 10 of the 12 spies of recon force said they could not over come the obstacles and odds.  It got so bad that the people nearly stoned Caleb and Joshua for their part in trying to convince the people to go for it and take the land.

The poor decision of the nation lead to everyone 21 and older dying in the ensuing 40 years in the wilderness.  Caleb and Joshua were the only two of their generation to lead the young nation into the promised land.  Caleb was even rewarded a section that was particularly difficult to take - he insisted he was up to it (at the age of 85!).

How many times are we called to trust God with the unknown future?  How many times are we called to release control of our lives to God with the future?  We’re called to do this all the time and it’s down right scary.  No one wants to be out of control regarding whom they marry, where they will live, the job/career they will have, the number of children they will have, the ministry they’re being called into and the list goes on.  Psalm 119:105 – gives us great counsel – Your word (Scripture) is a light to my feet and guide to my path. 

At some point, Caleb took God at His word and trusted his knowledge of God’s character when facing the challenge of entering Canaan with all of it’s obstacles.  His faith was not blind.  His faith was bold and grounded in His knowledge of God.

Following the counsel of God’s word brings us to God’s word and the God of His Word – Himself.  All roads eventually lead back to what our view of God is.  A.W. Tozer in his book, Knowledge of the Holy wrote:  “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”  Do we realise that God is truly holy – truly sovereign and truly for us?  The answers to these questions are mere opinion unless we understand what Scripture tells us about God. 

The beautiful thing about our relationship with God is that it can grow – we’re invited to come to know Him and grow in our knowledge of Him.  He is not a mystical being in a distant land – He is near – present in our lives via His Holy Spirit.  His word is available to us (at least in most parts of the world).

Fear is natural; however, fear is not from God.  The cure or answer for fear of the future is to first rest your future in His capable hands.  Take each step with the best of your ability – but ultimately we must rest our future in Him. 

Though this is easier said than done – it is the walk of faith we’re called to.  If we ignore the counsel of God’s word – we’re left with our own wisdom and ability to secure our future.  I hope you’ll join me in this walk – even if slowly at first.