Jen’s Gem: Kick your fear to the curb!
I recently watched the movie “Temple Grandin.” You can tell I don’t get to the movies that much as this film debuted more than a decade ago! If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend. The acting is superb and the storyline – well, inspiring doesn’t even cut it.
The film depicts the life of Grandin, an autistic woman and the challenges she faced in the pursuit of living her life purpose. It also showcases the devotion and perseverance of her mother which in my opinion puts Forrest Gump’s mom to shame!
I was particularly drawn to the words of one of her brilliant teachers. He shared that every life challenge was simply a door to walk through. Given her keen ability to think in pictures, she visualized a door at the onset of each new venture. Because of this, she accomplished what no one thought possible.
What if, when faced with our own challenges, we followed this example? That is, each one is just a door to walk through. Once we are on the other side, it’s done.
Seems simple enough, but what keeps us from doing this? Mostly likely – fear.
Fear of the unknown. Fear of making a poor decision. Fear of the consequences. Any and all of these can grab hold of us and prevent us from accomplishing all we have been designed for.
Did you know the Bible mentions the word fear 365 times? That’s a verse for each day of the year! God knew we would have to deal with this emotion and in His wisdom and love for us, He provided daily Biblical truths so we could clap back at fear whenever we needed to.
The words “Fear not” fill both the Old and New Testament, so clearly fear has been around since the beginning of time. In fact, guess what Adam said when he heard God’s voice in the garden after he and Eve had sinned?
“I was afraid.” (Genesis 3:10)
Adam had forgotten about God’s immense love and mercy and because of this, he was afraid. Do you know what the antidote to fear is? You might think it’s courage or plain ol’ human determination. Yes – these are helpful and needed to take steps in faith. But there’s one more thing…love.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
When we walk close to God, His immense, unconditional, never-ending love for us enables us to kick fear to the curb. Think about it.
If you know without a doubt that you are loved, protected, guided, and provided for, your fear dissipates. If you are being encouraged by someone who has your back and who believes in you, doesn’t it give you the courage to try a new thing?
Sure it does! Temple Grandin’s mother did this. Her teacher did this.
God’s perfect love for His children has the power to cast out all of our fears. Yet, if we don’t
receive this love, then fear runs our lives. If we don’t feel worthy of God’s love, then we live a small life. If we think this love is only for perfect people, then we miss out on the greatest gift.
God created you to do amazing things. Whether that’s to be an inventor like Grandin, or a NASA-trained teacher, or a mother who never gives up on her child, you are called to greatness. You are called to walk through every door with confidence knowing that God, the Creator of the universe and everything in it (including YOU!) is walking right with you.
This week I want to encourage you to write down some of the obstacles you’re currently facing. Then, like Ms. Grandin, picture walking through them filled with God’s Truth that says “anything is possible with God” (Matthew 19:26) and “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
When you slam the door on fear, you too will accomplish the impossible.