Overarching Message on Your Needs in Life (9)

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.

Our Heavenly Father gives us hope in a world that often feels saturated with the pressure to succeed and the dread of failure.

It’s easy to get caught up in the race and the high stakes of today’s society, where achievement is often seen as a measure of our worth. Many of us, maybe even you, wrestle with the fear of failure, linking it closely to our self-esteem and value. Others might find themselves paralyzed by the fear of the unknown, a vast and uncharted territory. But let me remind you of another profound truth found in Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

What does God say about fear?

You see, fearing failure is like saying we don’t trust God’s plan or believe in His almighty power to make things right. We might even say that fear is misplaced trust.  Fearing failure demonstrates a lack of hope in God.  But God calls us to place our trust in Him, to exchange fear for faith. When we allow fear to take the wheel, we’re essentially turning our backs on the promise that God has everything under control, even when we’re faced with the prospect of not measuring up.

Consider Abraham, a man of great faith, who also found himself succumbing to fear before realizing that his strength lay in trusting God (Genesis 12:10-20). We, too, are called for a unique purpose, designed to shine in our own light and leave the outcome in God’s capable hands. “Fear not, for I am with you,” says the Lord. In Him, there is no room for fear, only unwavering support, and strength in the Lord.

Fear and Leadership

Leadership, my friends, thrives in the absence of fear. A true leader’s strength is bolstered by their faith in the Lord, drawing others closer to Him, as highlighted in Nehemiah 1:11 “O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name.”  This reverential fear of God is not one that repels but attracts, fostering wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 9:10). It serves as a reminder not to become prideful or self-reliant but to maintain a heart open to God’s guiding hand.

Fear God, not man

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10.

I encourage you to see failure not as a setback but as a steppingstone to greater things. It’s not about the fall; it’s about the rise that follows—that is, if we fail fast and learn even faster.  But who we are is not what we do, and failure can often be—and usually is—progress in disguise.

By embracing the potential for failure, we open ourselves to risk, to growth, and to the transformative power of God’s perfect love, which “casts out fear”.

For in His love, there is no fear, only the promise of strength, support, and the sweet victory of faith over fear.

“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).

We warmly invite you to come to the True Jesus Church’s bi-annual Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation.  See details below.

18-21 April, 2024 Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation

Thursday, 18 April, 2024 6:50PM to 8:10PM
Friday and Saturday, 19-20 April, 2023 9:00AM to 8:10PM
Sunday, 21 April, 2024 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Complimentary lunch and dinner will be served.

Please find our church location below:

True Jesus Church
4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
 Google Maps

For online streaming, please click here.

For regular service hours, please click here.

Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org