Barnabas Vision: Encouragement During Difficult Times

Mar 27, 2020 at 12:02 pm by bryan


A Message from Non-profit Barnabas Vision in Murfreesboro:

You are likely a little uncomfortable right now because this is new territory. When we are faced with new situations, we often are fearful of the unknown. We like the familiar and predictable. Scripture tells us over and over to "fear not." This doesn't mean we won't ever feel scared, it means that when you do have these feelings, to keep going forward and do what you're supposed to, all while leaning into Him.

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One definition of fear is "to run or to take flight." So when we give in to fear, we run away from something that we should be confronting. The Israelites are a good example of people who had to face their fears. In the Old Testament, God brought them out of a terrible life of slavery to take them to the Promised Land, but they were then confronted with a different situation that was equally unpleasant. They ended up facing the Red Sea in front of them and Pharaoh's army behind them. When the Israelites saw their dilemma, they actually desired to go back to their former life of slavery instead of confronting the unknown ahead of them. All because of fear.

Moses told the Israelites in Exodus 14:13, "Fear not; stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again." Notice how the Lord said "stand still." That's interesting, because when the emotion of fear has a hold of us and our minds are thinking one crazy thing after another, the first thing we need to do is get still. Get out of the emotion, out of our own head, and check with our heart and ask, "What is God saying in this situation?"

I encourage you today to stand still, get wisdom and direction from God and His Word, and then do what you believe God is telling you to do. Ask Him for courage. Then you will see the Lord make a way for you to push past your fear and reach the promised land He has ready for you.

If you or someone you know are overwhelmed with change right now and would like someone to talk to, pray or study with, email David@thebarnabasvision.org

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