Fear is a powerful motivator … or
should I say demotivator. Often times we are driven to do something out fear …
run from a snake, defend our lives possibly with deadly force, protect our
families, check our online checking even though we know funds are tight, etc.
While fear may motivate us, it will also demotivate us. It will cause us to
avoid what we know we have to do … ignore the bills that come in the mail by
not opening them, not make the phone call you know you need to make, move in completely
the wrong direction, etc. What in your life has fear caused you to back away
from?
In chapter seventeen we see the
Israelites fear creep back in, especially that of Joseph’s decedents. The land
they have been allotted is not big enough and the additional land that Joshua
gives them already has inhabitants living in it they fear are too big and
powerful for them. So they return to the pattern of their parents and they wine
and complain, but most disappointing they lack faith.
Fear can be simply a lack of faith.
Some fears are a positive thing … fear of snakes keep us alive, a rational fear
of car wrecks keep us safer on the roads, but many fears are the result of poor
planning and weak faith. That is just what the Israelites have … weak faith.
They have experienced all that God has done for them, but when they face
another challenge they forget who is fighting on their side.
How many times do we do that? We have
witnessed all that God has done in our lives, but when we let the moments of
weak faith creep in, we fear for how things will turn out. In those moments
remember who is in control, remember who has delivered you before, remember who
you call Lord and savior and put your trust in Him.
At West Side we are beginning a new
prayer partner campaign. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily
for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to
receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We
appreciate your partnership.
No comments:
Post a Comment