Don't let fear stop you!

    The book of 1 Samuel 17 recounts the story of David and Goliath. The Israelite and Philistine armies were at war and they each formed their battle lines against each other. A giant from the Philistine army came forward and challenged the Israelites. If one of their men could fight and kill him, the Philistines would become subject to the Israelites. However, if he, Goliath, killed the Israelite, the Israelites would serve the Philistines. This challenge was presented for forty days, morning and evening.
    David was not a soldier in the army. In fact, he was a shepherd boy, faithfully tending his father’s sheep. One day, his father sends him to the Israelite camp to carry some food for his three oldest brothers who are soldiers in the army and to find out how they are going. When he gets there, he overhears Goliath’s challenge but he notices something else - when Goliath issues his challenge, all the Israelite soldiers run away in fear (v.24). 
    A few things came to my mind when I read that line in verse 24. These soldiers were trained for battle yet, they were running away in fear whenever Goliath issued his challenge. The sad reality is that if we allow it, fear can cripple us and prevent us from being who God has called us to be and from doing what He has called us to do. We can all testify of those times when fear crept into our lives and we felt paralysed. We could not see anything but that fear and that fear started to dictate our thoughts and actions. 
    In my own life, I have allowed fear to play an all too important role. Many years ago, I realised how much fear can and was crippling me and preventing me from being and doing my best for God. Even today, there are times when I still battle to prevent fear from dictating my life. How many of you can relate? These Israelite soldiers were trained for war. Any of them could have taken on Goliath but because fear was blinding them, they kept running away from the challenge instead of facing it. 
    Another thing that comes to my mind is the reality that if God gives us a job to do, He will equip and enable us to handle it. As I said before these soldiers were trained for war. On top of that, they had God on their side to fight their battles for them. Unfortunately, all they could see was Goliath’s size and hear his defiant words striking fear into their hearts. They couldn’t see what they needed to see because their focus was on the wrong thing. 
    God has enabled us to handle what He has called us to do. Just because circumstances and challenges come our way, does not mean that we are unable to handle it. Maybe all we need to do is shift our focus. Take our eyes off of the challenge and reposition it to where it’s supposed to be in the first place - on God. The battle is still His … but the job is still ours to fulfil. 
    David was not a trained soldier but he knew his God and what his God was capable of doing. He witnessed God helping him to kill the lion and the bear that had come to attack his sheep. He knew that this same God would not allow Goliath to kill him but would instead deliver him into his hands. When David went out against Goliath, he faced him with a slingshot and five smooth stones. David was equipped to do the job but the battle was still God's to fight and win.
    So right where you are, be who God has called you to be and do what God has called you to do. He has equipped you, He has enabled you. Don’t let fear stop you from being and doing your best for Him. The battle you may be facing is still His, but what He has called you to do and who He has called you to be, is still yours to fulfil. 
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. God has not given you a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Simply put, God has given you all you need to carry out His purpose and plan for your life. You don’t have to be afraid, you just have to trust that your God will see you successfully through whatever comes your way.
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