Live Fearless – 4 Ways To Live Fully Alive

Fearless. Brave, unafraid, without fear.

We’re pondering ways to live fully alive. I shared four ways at our recent BYOB and B event, and I’m sharing them here individually. We’ve explored live authentic and live open. Today we’re exploring the third way: live fearless.

God has not given us a spirit of fear. But he has given us a spirit of power and love and self-control.

1 Timothy 1:7 WE

Think about this for a moment: If God did not give us a spirit of fear, who did? If God did not give us the spirit of fear, does it really belong in our lives? Why do we fear?

What are we afraid of, anyway?

Fear of…
failure?
success?
loss?
the unknown future or circumstances beyond our control?
public speaking?
looking stupid?
being alone?
rejection?
making the wrong decision?
the opinions of others?
responsibility?
missing out?

If we look at these a little closer, these fears are what we feel looking inward. Of course fear puts the focus on ourselves, because when it is on ourselves, we take our eyes off God. And, when we do that, fear has us right where it wants us. Paralyzed. Trembling. Ineffective.

Do not fear.

In His Word, God says “do not fear” numerous times. Some say 365 times. I haven’t found that to be true yet, but no matter, we can understand God means what He says.

Yes, we may feel fear, but we don’t have to let it control us. We can choose to “feel the fear and do it anyway.”

Do the thing you fear the most, and the death of fear is certain.

Mark Twain

Believe it or not, God can turn our biggest fears into our biggest blessings!

I was thinking about this the other day. Can you guess what was once one of my biggest fears? Yep, PUBLIC SPEAKING!! Speaking in front of others paralyzed me. Seriously. I nearly wanted to lose my lunch anytime I had to talk to two or more people, let alone to a larger group. It was absolutely awful!

But over time, without me even realizing it, something happened. As I was given more dreaded opportunities to speak to groups, something began to change. Each time I nervously prayed for God to get me through it. Consequently, the paralyzed feelings lessened with each experience. And, wouldn’t you know, speaking to groups of people started to fill me with joy and fulfillment. Oh, I still get nervous and I still feel those pesky butterflies each time, but the paralyzing fear is gone. Immense joy has replaced that fear. Isn’t that just like God to turn a fear into a blessing?

Each time I find myself behind a microphone or in front of a group speaking, I stand as a living example of what God can to with someone’s fears. Because God is no respecter of persons (meaning God does not have favorites and doesn’t show favoritism to His children) and He did this for me, He can also do the same for you. So, imagine your biggest fear becoming your biggest blessing. Nothing is beyond what God can do, friend.

We can live fearless because God’s got us.

Someone (I wish I could remember who) reminded me of a powerful truth a long time ago. He or she said, “Nothing happens in our lives that isn’t sifted through God’s hands first.” So, I imagine God’s hands held out. I’m below those hands. Therefore, anything that comes into my life goes through God’s fingers first. If He doesn’t want something to pass through, He won’t let it. He’ll catch it. Nothing in my life catches God off-guard, because I believe whatever is present, He’s allowed it. He may not cause something to happen, but he’s allowed it to happen for a reason.

As a result, acknowledging this truth helps me live fearless. So, most days I add those words to my morning prayer. God, I trust you today and I know I have nothing to fear. Nothing happens in my life that isn’t sifted through Your hands first. This truth replaces my fear. If God has allowed it, then He’s in it. Whether it’s lesson to learn, a challenge, a loss, a success. God will guide us through it.

With God, we have nothing to fear.

We may not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.

Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. So don’t be afraid: I’m with you.

Isaiah 43:1b-5a Message

Did you catch that? God is with you. Friend, you and I can live fearless, because truly, we have nothing to fear. God–the very God who formed us, gave us life, loves us more than we can comprehend, and has saved us–is with us. He’s on our side! Hallelujah! As a result, this truth can give us boldness to be brave, secure, uninhibited, fearless. It can propel us past the paralyzing pain of fear to embrace a life of living fully alive. Certainly, this pain doesn’t have to stop us from moving forward. The comedian, Ken Davis says, “The only people who don’t feel pain are people lying in an open box at the front of a church.”

Live fearless.

So, friend, if you and I have been living fearful, today’s a new day. Today’s the day to begin to live fearless. One step at a time. One day at a time. Keeping our focus on God Who is with us. You and I have nothing to fear. Praise be to God!

Stop back tomorrow for the fourth way to live fully alive: live uncomfortable.

Blessings!

This material was first shared at our Bring Your Own Bible and Beverage event, Fully Alive.