Who remembers the show Fear Factor? The host Joe Rogan would have each contestant face their worst fears and engage in dangerous challenges to win the prize at the end of the show. Sitting on the couch at home watching I cringed when they would make someone wear a blindfold and allow some creepy crawly crawl all over their bodies to see who could last the longest. And the things they had the contestants eat. Can you say “Ewwww”. Still to this day, it gives me the Heebie-jeebies. The obstacles they faced and overcame to win the prize, in the end, was an amazing feat.
Watching this show as a kid probably didn’t help out at all with the fears I was dealing with in real life. Was it just me or did anyone else run past a window late at night, even though you knew there was no one outside the window, but you ran because of the fear that there might be someone out there? How about the fear of standing in front of a group and talking? That was me too, even to this day if I have to speak in front of a group large or small I feel nauseous, my palms start sweating and my mind goes blank on what I’m supposed to talk about. Sounds fun right??? Do you want to know the worst part? When I finish talking I don’t feel any better. At this point, my thoughts are running around like a chicken with its head cut off. “Why did I that like I did?” “Did everything I said make sense?” “Crap, I forgot to even mention this part.” “I wonder want this person thought about it?” And the list goes on and on.
I struggle with fear on the daily, I don’t like to admit that because, how many times in the bible does God say “Fear not!”? A lot right? Ok, this just blew my mind, like cue sound effects when you read this next sentence. “Fear Not” or “do not be afraid” is in the bible, get this, 365 times! Did you catch that? 365 that is how many days are in a year. Let that sink in for just a minute. I’ll wait……………………………………………….…. Ok great, you’re back. I honestly do not think that was just by chance. God knew that we would need a reminder each day to not fear. This life is hard and He never said it would be easier just by being a Christian. That is why we hold on to the promises He gave to us. I would be lying to say that just declaring that “God said do not fear” cured all the fear in my life, that would be a negative ghost rider, but what I can do with that is when I have to face my fears head-on I can continue to stay grounded in the word of God. Sort of like the contestants on Fear Factor they knew the end prize and were willing to face their biggest fears to reach it. So I’m asking you today what is your biggest fear that is staring you right in the face and what are you going to do to face it?
I pray that this blog today was an encouragement to you and can help in your daily life. Always know I am available to pray with you or just be someone to talk to when life gets hard. E-mail me at megan@churchanywhere.us if you need prayer!
