“Scared to death” best describes my childhood. As I look back, I realize I was scared of just about everything. Scared of getting lost, fearful of the dark, afraid of heights, and the list goes on and on. In retrospect, I wonder how I survived. Although I have conquered some of those old fears, I understand now those fears robbed me of peace of mind, good times, and exciting experiences. Today I often wonder, “What if I hadn’t been afraid of everything?” How different my life might have been if not for fear.

Fear is one of the most powerful of emotions known to man, and certainly the most debilitating of all human emotions. Fear paralyzes people; it causes them to freeze in their tracks, immobilizes them, and holds them hostage to assumptions and old paradigms. Fear is a robber, a thief, a destroyer, and it makes people miserable.

Satan is the master manipulator when it comes to fear. It is one of his most effective tools against the church and saints of God. God is calling everyone to serve him, but many are afraid to make a commitment. Satan loves to trap us, keep us in bondage, and hold us hostage to our fears. The result is our fear immobilizes us from reaching our potential in Jesus Christ.

One day while reading the book “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson, I experienced a God moment. The author posed this question: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” In other words, what would you attempt if you couldn’t fail? As I pondered the question, I felt God prompt me to personalize the question in a spiritual sense: “What would you do for God if you weren’t afraid?” This was without a doubt a turning point in my life and ministry. Since that time I’ve been on a mission to help move people beyond their fears. As I realized how fear had held me hostage, I began to attempt new things, to take some risks, to step out by faith, to get out of the boat, both personally, professionally and spiritually. The rewards have been great!

Paul declares in 2 Timothy 2:7 “God has not given us the spirit of fear….” Where did fear come from? The first recorded instance of fear is immediately following Adam & Eve’s sin in the Garden when they hid themselves and said it was because they were afraid.

The Bible is filled with at least 80 “fear not’s” and “be not afraid’s”. It is not God’s will for His people to be fearful. Fear is a major hindrance to our personal growth and the work of God. Four fears we all must face are the fear of failure, fear of flesh, fear of being forsaken, and the fear of failure. Each of these must be conquered in order to do a work for God.

It may come as a surprise to some but Revelation 21:8 indicates that fear is a sin: “But the fearful, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.”

A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are made for! It’s high time we conquer our fears, wax bold in Christ Jesus, take a step of faith and do what you would do if you weren’t afraid! Remember, fear is simply defined as False Evidence Appearing Real!