Clear Fear from Your Conscience

Jacob was extremely troubled by the risk of losing Benjamin, whose mother had died giving birth to him. It's understandable that Jacob would be protective of Benjamin since he had been forced to come to terms with having lost Benjamin's brother Joseph some years earlier. Now Jacob was forced to trust his older sons to safeguard Benjamin as they traveled to Egypt to buy grain.

 

Arriving in Egypt, they were invited to a luncheon with Joseph, where Benjamin, Joseph’s full-brother, was the guest of honor. Once again, the money paid for the grain was put back into their bags along with Joseph’s special silver cup. Benjamin would later be accused of stealing this cup.

Seeking reconciliation is a delicate undertaking. Imagine Joseph thinking that he had one chance to unite his family, made up of the ten jealous brothers who hated him. God calls us to reconcile with whomever has wronged us. God is aware of and patient with our resistance, knowing we’re stressed out with fear and anxiety, yet he continues to push us toward reconciliation and new beginnings. Your spiritual health and clear conscience depend on it.  

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For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.

~2 Timothy 1:7 The Living Bible

There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life – fear of death, fear of judgment – is one not yet fully formed in love.

~1 John 4:18 The Message

Defeat Fear of Failure: Choose Faith - Part 2

While I was serving in the military after graduation from high school, it was customary to hear disgruntled voices complaining about duty assignments. I also was dissatisfied with my assignment. When I was stationed in Florida, I became friends with a young man who appeared too bright and intelligent for his assigned duty.

I often hear clients grieving over wasted years spent in a career for which they were unsuited. A woman related how she gave up opportunities to excel when she was in her twenties because she feared failure. What perpetuates this attitude? Could it be failure to trust the capabilities that God himself has given to you for achieving his good purpose?

It’s scary to think of being stretched to the limit of your capabilities. Failure to live up to your capabilities could be driven by fear of future failures. However, fear can be overcome by trust and faith in God's purpose for you. God's perfect love conquers fear, so depend on your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to control fear’s power.  

Defeat Fear of Failure: Choose Faith - Part 1

Addressing the nation after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." He was aware that fear can be a powerful obstruction to taking positive, decisive action. Submitting to fear may be regretted later when the end result did not meet expectations.

With every opportunity it is not unusual to experience doubt, even fear, for opportunities require change. Self-doubt can be a significant obstacle because of negative thinking patterns like: "I can't do it!” “I'm not smart enough!” “What if I fail?” Negative thought patterns are obstructions to confidence and can be destructive to self-esteem and self-assurance.

Fear conflicts with faith, so when fear gets a grip, refocus your faith on Christ Jesus and 1 John 4:18. "There is no fear in love for perfect love casts out fear." The object of perfect love is Christ Jesus, who gives faith and strength to overpower fear. So when fear sets its a trap, focus on God's purpose and love for you.