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FLASHPoint! Devotional – Week Of 08.29.10
“Afraid Of Fear”
Over and over again the early followers of Jesus had a hard time getting through situations because they were afraid of their external circumstances. I suggest things haven’t changed much. In the example of the time they were stuck on a lake with a great storm brewing, they were paralyzed by their fear of the storm (Matthew 14:22-24). But in reality, the situation was not the problem because the boat they were in was designed to withstand the storm. The only way the boat would sink is if the situation on the outside got on the inside.
We all know those people that can seemingly walk through any situation and are not negatively impacted. Then there are others that are constantly dealing with the external situations that keep seeping into the inside…and this causes them to live in fear. Here’s a fact: Everybody doesn’t sink! And the people that ride on top of the storm do it because they can float on it without allowing the storm to get inside of them. Is the storm real? You bet! But it’s outside of the boat. See, you start to sink because you keep allowing the outside situations to get into your inside! And when you get this revelation, the first question that comes to mind is: “How do I fix this?” The answer – “Just like Noah did!”
Noah had his boat sealed inside and out with a tar-like substance. It was completely covered. No holes or cracks were left unsealed. Why? Because he knew the water was coming so he built up a defense. What is it that keeps ‘unsealing’ your cracks? Is it people, places, attitude, un-forgiveness, bitterness, etc?
In our example of the disciples on the boat, these guys are afraid of their external situation and they have to face the fact that they’re going down. And they’re oblivious to the fact that Jesus is there walking on the water. Now they’re not only afraid of their situation, they’re getting afraid of the solution (Matthew 14:25-26)! It’s like being on the 10th floor of a building and the building is on fire. You say to yourself, “If I stay I burn,” and the fireman says, “JUMP!” The problem is, you’re scared to stay and you’re scared to jump – you’re afraid of the circumstance AND the solution.
Jesus Christ is walking on the water, but they don’t recognize Him because they’re watching the situation on the outside get worse and worse and they’re watching it start coming over the edge of the boat and getting inside. They’re so distracted they don’t recognize the solution! And what do they do because they’re afraid? Nothing. They stay in the boat. I suggest this is one of the greatest tools of the enemy: He keeps us rocking in the boat of mediocrity. Jesus is bringing us opportunity, but we lack the courage to get up and step out into the opportunity. But Peter got it! He says, “Jesus, is that you?” And Jesus said, “Yes! Come out to Me” (Matthew 14:28-29). And out Peter jumps! And as long as he is God-conscious he moves forward. But he not only moves forward, he is walking above what others sink in!
Here’s my question to you: What would you do if you weren’t afraid? The answer to that could be what propels you into your destiny! And I believe today Jesus is saying to you what He said to His disciples on that boat: “Take Courage – It is I – Don’t Be Afraid” (Matthew 14:27). That’s all He said. But in this statement He told them what to do; Who He was and how to act in the process. This is the attitude God expects you to have when you step off the boat: Don’t just do it – be excited about it!
So let me ask you, what are you afraid of? Isn’t it time you started walking on what others sink in? Don’t let what’s OUTSIDE of you get INSIDE of you and cause you to sink!
Pastor FLASH
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