Fear Not

 

“Don't be afraid!" Moses replied. "God has come only to test you, so that by obeying him you won't sin."

– Exodus 20:20

With 2022 just weeks away, many people will soon begin to think about their New Year’s resolutions. Popular goals include losing weight, learning a new language and landing a better job. And that makes sense. After all, the New Year represents a clean slate with plenty of possibilities. But then again, there’s also a certain level of anxiety. Considering how our lives have changed over the past two years, who knows what tomorrow may bring?

It’s said that the admonition Fear Not appears in the Bible 365 times: one for every day of the year. However, Christ-followers aren’t immune from anxiety and fear. For example, it’s safe to say that many — or perhaps even most of us — are afraid of saying yes to God. One of the problems is that we too often think of our Lord as a cosmic consultant who offers well-intentioned suggestions rather than the all-knowing Creator who made us, loves us and wants only the best for us. But when we get down to it, saying no to God is perhaps the most basic definition of sin. And mankind has been doing just that since those early days of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

We know in our heads and our hearts that God loves us. In fact, he loves us so much that he sent his only Son to die on the cross to pay for our many failures in life. So with this in mind, why would anyone be anxious about saying yes to God?

 

First, saying no and playing it safe is a basic human instinct. Fleeing from danger (real or perceived) is logical when we consider our innate desire for self-preservation. We also can say no to God when he calls us to do something that’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. And taking that first step can be awkward, difficult — and sometimes scary.

But maybe selfishness is the biggest reason so many people are afraid to say yes to God. After all, agreeing with God often means we’re saying no to us. But be forewarned: When we turn our backs to God, we need to prepare for a certain level of spiritual storminess and turmoil. God knows what he wants and how he wants to do it. So we shouldn’t be surprised when we find ourselves in a much worse situation after our refusal. As the saying goes, sometimes we need to feel the heat before we can see the light.

A New Year is around the corner. Let’s resolve to make the most of its opportunities by surrendering our anxiety and fears, stepping out in faith and saying yes to God.