Last week, our pastor preached on fear. During the sermon, he referenced a famous missionary named John G. Paton who was responsible for bringing the Gospel to the New Hebrides Islands of the South Pacific.

The interesting part of his story is that the first missionaries to set foot on those islands were killed and eaten by cannibals only minutes after going ashore. But Paton wasn’t concerned with the prospect of being eaten alive by cannibals, because he hadn’t been eaten alive by fear. He was fearless in his pursuit of God’s will.

My pastor said something very wise that morning. He said that one of the fear-fueling lies we tell ourselves is that “what matters can be taken from us.”

I’m wrestling with God right now. Truly afraid to be obedient because of what it might, could, possibly, maybe cost me. I’ve convinced myself that what matters can be taken from me. And fear is eating me alive inside.

I am praying for the strength and the resolve to set sail, walk onto the shores of the island and say to the cannibals, “Dinner is here!” And to fearlessly pursue God’s will. After all, if I truly believe that nothing can take away what really matters, there’s really nothing left to fear.