Start Scared

In his book Spiritual Leadership J. Oswald Sanders lists courage as an essential quality of leadership.  He writes, “Courage is that quality of mind that enables people to encounter danger or difficulty firmly, without fear or discouragement.”  Unfortunately, most of us tend to look at things through human eyes, forgetting that it is not our natural ability, skills, or talents that allow us to do the work that God has called us to do. When we do this, courage goes “out the window,” and fear, doubt, and complacency creep in. 

My friend Elizabeth often reminds me to “do it scared.”  With three words she emphatically reminds me to trust that the Lord has given me everything I need to do everything He has called me to do.  He has not only prepared each of us beforehand for good works, He has also equipped us to do them. We should not look outwardly when doing what God has called us to do. Rather, we should look inside, because He has already given us everything that we need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)

Perhaps we’re afraid because we feel like we’re walking alone. But Jesus said He would never leave us or forsake us. So why would He tell us to do something and then leave us helpless and hopeless? He didn't. He hasn't. He won't.

The funny thing about doing it scared is while we're doing it, we realize we gain strength to stand firmly, because we realize He's there with us and has been there with us the entire time. So even when we don't see Him, we should continue to trust and obey Him, knowing He's there no matter what, giving us strength and courage to do all that needs to be done. We can have the faith to do it scared, because our confidence is not in ourselves, but in the One Who is far greater.

The same God Who empowered Joshua to lead the Israelites across the Jordan (Joshua 3-5) will guide us through the unchartered territories He called us to conquer.  The same God who called a young girl to be the vessel that birthed the Living Word (Luke 1:34-35) will allow us to birth the dreams and plans He has planted in our hearts.  The same Power that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11-13) will raise everything in us needed to finish every assignment, every task, every purpose He began in us. 

It's okay to start scared—that’s a natural sign that we know we can’t do it in our own strength.  My prayer is that we all remember that we can move forward through Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:13) Let’s reach for His hand to fulfill the work to which He has called each of us.  He will strengthen us to continue and finish well. (Philippians 1:6) Let fear be the flicker that is fanned into flames of faith to move us forward in confidence in all we are called to do!