Ladies, thanks for sharing what God is teaching you and what God is doing in your lives. I love that we can learn from each other. Let’s take our discussion on a slightly different tangent today. A couple of you mentioned fears that hold you back from fully following Christ, so let’s move to one of the questions in this week’s lesson.
Like the original recipients of Hebrews, do you have fears and concerns that hold you back from being completely committed to Christ and living a life of total obedience? What are they?
I think that I am spinning my wheels too much. I am afraid stepping out because maybe it is not what God wants me to do. I have run ahead of Him before and was totally exhausted. I am afraid doing it again, so I stay put. Silly, I know.
I said to one of my friends at work the other day: “Wouldn’t it be neat if God would send me a text message when to stay put and when to step out?”…
Iris, I would also love to get a text. Or phone call. Or email! I know what you mean about running ahead of God. I’ve done that way too much myself.
My fear has been that while I’m being renewed and changed I can already see relationships/ friendships changing. Will I have any left or am I starting over which I have already made my mind up that if it’s down to just Jesus and Me and we can go from there. I have finally decided His way is the best way for me and if he brings me a whole new family and friends giving him my whole heart is the only way to pure freedom…does this make sense? Anyway that has been one of my fears..:-)
Yes, I have fears. I often fear that I’m not good enough or talented enough to serve Him in the way that I feel led. Ok…I know that sounds contradictory — If I feel led, then, I shouldn’t be afraid, right? Nope. I know that God loves me, so my fear is based with people. I guess I fear rejection…that somebody, somewhere will say, “Why is SHE writing? Why is SHE teaching? Why does SHE think God can use her?” Those are my fears…and I’m fighting against them.
Karey, it sounds like you’ve been following Jesus into a whole new direction! Do you have a church home? That’s where God wants to build relationships that will give you the encouragement, love, and support you need. And He will not leave you alone!
Joan, I think the fear of rejection is a common one. I battle with that one when it comes to sharing Jesus with other people. “What will they think about me?” The enemy would love for fear to stop us dead in our tracks. But Jesus has not given us a spirit of fear but one of strength and power – straight from Him!
It’s a good thing that God is on our side! I’m trusting in His word! I Timothy 1:7 — thanks Kathy!
Do you all feel like the Christians / Jewish Christians were totally disengaging because of apathy and fear? or do you think possibly they were “shrinking back” because of persecution, and just didn’t think a big target on their back was what the gospel needed right then, to further the kingdom?
Good question Jill. There was probably some of both. We know from Hebrews itself (10:32-24; 12:4) that these Christians had endured persecution such as imprisonment and confiscation of their property, but they had not yet been killed for their faith. If they had already suffered they might not have wanted to endure it again. If they had only watched others suffer they may have wanted to get out before it happened to them. They were not convinced that Jesus was worth what might come their way. The author wrote to say: “I know it’s hard, but Jesus is more than worth all of it!”
For me the fear of giving up my dreams has been what has held me back in the past and present. The fear of what I wanted to happen is not going to happen which leads to the fear of the unknown…what is God calling me to? Why is he asking me to give this up?
Tracy, thanks for sharing that. Aligning our own desires, hopes, and dreams with God’s plan is sometimes very difficult. I try to remind myself that God’s ways are always better than mine even if I don’t understand why and He definitely wants what is eternally best for me.
I let fear completely shut me down. I let fear of what others think and what I thought they wanted me to be change me into something I wasn’t. I am very outgoing and outspoken and when you are that personality sometimes people don’t like it. It hurt me so much that I shrunk back and stopped serving or talking in church. I was miserable but God led me to a Christian counselor that allowed me to see that God made me who I am and that is who I needed to be to please God and not others. I still fear but I do not let it control me and slowly I am moving back into God’s ministry he has for me. I am thankful that God made us all different to serve in different roles!
Lee Ann, so glad you are experiencing God’s healing in that situation and that you are moving back into His service. Keep stepping out!