Do you remember the TV show, Fear Factor? On the show, participants had to conquer fears and overcome disgusting challenges to make it through extreme physical stunts and overcome psychological challenges. The show had competitions where contestants faced eating bugs and drinking disgusting blended shakes with sheep eyes or dead animals. They had to conquer crazy stunts and endure extreme heights and walk balance beams hundreds of feet in the air. At times they had to swim with snakes, get in containers filled with rats or scorpions, and even be submerged in ice-cold water to hold their breath for extended periods of time. My kids loved watching the show growing up.
Of all the people within the theme park they could have chosen for this live show at Universal Studios, they wanted my husband! We all laughed knowing this would really be a show to see! We coached him to do it, knowing this could be the greatest entertainment of the day. He filled out the forms, signed the waivers, and went backstage as we all took our seats and waited for the show to begin. The audience grew and nearly filled the grandstands as the show got underway.
Our family cheered him on from within the crowd. He took fear head on and won challenge after challenge over his competitors. He was growing increasingly confident. Then came the final challenge: to jump from his platform high in the air onto a vehicle dangling from the trusses and then crawl his way around it to gain access to the winning item inside the car—all with the fastest time. He was about to face his biggest fear, a fear of heights and falling. Of course, there were safety measures in place and harnesses on, but that didn’t matter to him. The fear was still real. Miley Cyrus sings, “It’s All About the Climb.” Scott, I’m sure, was saying, “It’s All About the Fall!”
He did it! He barely hesitated. He faced it head-on and conquered his greatest fear. He won the challenge and was the ultimate winner on that afternoon’s show! He was the owner of a new, well-earned and much deserved, Fear Factor T-shirt. He put that shirt on immediately and wore it for many years to come.
What fears do you have? Most of us have one or two. Maybe it’s snakes, spiders, rats, heights, public speaking, the dark, or even loneliness. There are many fears that are valid concerns for so many of us.
It’s also common to be afraid of what God is asking us to do at times! Sometimes God’s assignments seem far beyond reach, too costly, impossible, not logical, too weighty, or too difficult. It’s important to note: God desires us to step out past fear and into a place of faith. He isn’t asking you to do it alone. He is asking you to join Him in what He is up to and desires to see happen.
Throughout the Bible, we see circumstances that cause people to fear. Yes, there are fears of snakes, and public speaking in the Bible too. Fear can cause us to cower in a corner or confidently take control. You will either conquer the fear, or it will cause you to cower.
God called Moses in Exodus 3 and 4 in the burning bush moment and asked him to go and speak to Pharaoh so that Moses could bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. Moses was afraid he wasn’t enough for the task. He worried how Pharaoh would respond, he was concerned how the Israelites would respond, and he was fearful he could not speak eloquently enough. God assured Moses with signs and wonders. At one point, God told Moses to throw his staff that he was carrying onto the ground, and it immediately became a serpent, and Moses ran from the snake. Even if we know something is of God, we can still run away. We have a choice to run in fear or stand in faith.
David wrote in Psalm 56:3-4, which says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” (ESV)
When you face fear, do you put your trust in God? Is there something you are facing now that is causing you to fear? Will you pray and declare to the Lord that through the power of Jesus Christ, you will choose faith over fear? Ask God to help you. Ask Him to show you. If fear is a factor, say to Him, “God I trust you,” then take the step of faith.
How can you make Monumental Moments and live to Multiply His Movement today?
