Take The First Step

There are many places in the Bible that speak against fear.  Not a specific fear, but fear overall.  One of my personal favorite verses that speaks against fear is Isaiah 41:10 which says, "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." As we embark on new and different things this year, we can’t be afraid to try.  Say this with me - I WILL NOT FEAR TAKING THE FIRST STEP.

Saying yes is one thing, but actually taking the steps to do a new thing takes mental strength. As people, we have a bad habit of rehearsing the worst case scenario in our minds, which leads to heightened fear and often inaction all together.  We deal with the internal struggle of telling ourselves all of the reasons we aren't qualified to do something; however, we must conquer that fear. We must encourage ourselves and say despite what appears to be shortcomings, I can do this. As Believers in Jesus Christ, we are strong and we are capable of doing hard things.  There is a reason why Paul knew no matter the situation, he could do all things through Christ who gave him strength (Philippians 4:13).  As many of us know, Paul wrote Philippians from a jail cell (talk about "valley" circumstances). Despite that, he chose to press on. When you think you don't have the extra "juice" you need push forward, think about these powerful men and women in the Word:

• When you doubt your ability to impact the world around you, think of Queen Esther (Esther 8)
• When you think you have made too many mistakes to change your life for the better, think of Rahab (Joshua 2)
• When you think refusing to compromise will cause those around you to turn against you, think of Daniel (Daniel 1-12)
• When you think the destiny God chose for you is too hard, think of Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1: 26-45, Luke 2:1-14)
• When you think there’s no way you can come back from this, think of the conversion of Saul to  Paul (Acts 9:1-31)

As people living in this sin-sick world, we can do what Esther, Rahab, Daniel, Mary and Paul did…have faith and take the first step. We can speak against things that we know are wrong; we can seek change, even if that change isn’t easy; we can refuse to compromise our beliefs; we can walk in our destiny despite difficulty; we can turn from what we know, and make a choice to follow Jesus.

We can do hard things because spirit of the living God resides in us, equipping us to do what seems impossible.  For that reason, we don’t have to fear.  And what better place to be than in the victorious right hand of our God as we take our first step?! (Isaiah 41:10) Whatever you desire to do, to shift, to try, to change…you can accomplish it!  Trust God to direct your path (Proverbs 3:6) and walk in expectancy of all that He will accomplish through you.  Decide today that you will not fear taking the first step!


Bible References taken from the New Living Translation Bible
Tyndale House Foundation. (1996, 2004, 2015). Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Carol Stream, Illinois. All rights reserved.: Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.