In my opinion, the two most common obstacles preventing us from walking with God are self-interest and fear. Self interest is usually the driver of sin, as I have discussed before in some detail. Whether we are too confident, or insecure or unstable, our “self” presents ample opportunities for being unwound and undone. It’s hard to calibrate confidence to the right level. Fear, on the other hand, is most often the thing that prevents progress toward what God has for us. This I have mentioned previously as well.

As I’ve been reading Isaiah, I’ve picked up on a recurring message. It shows up almost every other verse it seems. Fear not. Be not afraid. Don’t be afraid. Have no fear. Etc. God keeps messaging, over and over and over, that we should not be afraid. Any guess why He feels it’s necessary to repeat that phrase so many times?

I’ve also been reading a book by Aleksandar Hemon (best author I’ve discovered in a while by the way) just for pleasure, but today, God sent me a note through it as well. I am absolutely pumped that no matter what I pick up and read lately, God has an insight waiting. The characters in my book were discussing a war-torn Sarajevo, specifically power outages. One says to the other,

“We dreamt of light, but hoped for darkness.”

That’s exactly what I do. I dream of light, of the great things God has in store, of the plans He has for me. And in the same breath, I hope for darkness, that all will just be safe and unseen, because who knows what the light might bring. In the book, the characters were referring to the fact that it was easier for the enemy to attack at night as well if the lights were on. For me, it is the fear of where God might shine the light. I’ve brought this up numerous times, because it’s a central theme for me. It’s a constant challenge. The fight with fear.

In Isaiah, He doesn’t just stop at saying don’t be afraid. God makes some promises to us. Among them are:

1. He will show us the way.

30:20 – Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

2. He will be with us and be there for us.

35:3 – Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give away; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

3. He will provide what is needed for us to make a difference.

42:6 – I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand, I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who stir in darkness.

We humans are built for self-preservation. We have instincts to protect ourselves, to survive and thrive, to recognize and flee from danger. Unfortunately, these survival skills, while very helpful in many circumstances, are horribly effective devices for derailing us from God’s will.

God is trying to tell us, just like a somewhat famous politician once said, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”  Fear, at is core, is the face of a weak faith. It’s the fruit of a shallow-rooted tree. It is the result of trusting self over God. That takes us to a much bigger discussion that’s probably better handled one bite or blog post at a time.

In the meantime: No Fear.