Do it in Spite of the Fear
God has put gifts and talents in you. He’s given you dreams and goals that are unique to your life. But it’s easy to let fear hold you back. “What if I try it and it doesn’t work…what if people don’t accept me…what if I don’t have the talent?” Too often, we let the “what ifs” talk us out of it. Many people are living with hidden dreams, talent, and potential, but they’ve discounted themselves thinking they’re not as talented as others, or they tried in the past and it didn’t work out. My message today is very simple: quit hiding what God has given you. The Scripture says, “You don’t light a candle and hide it under a bushel” (Matthew 5:15). When God breathed His life into you, He created you to shine, to make a difference, to leave your mark. Your gift isn’t just for you; it’s to share with the world.
Don’t let fear talk you out of it. You can’t play it safe your whole life and become who you were created to be. God will put you in situations that look overwhelming because He knows what you’re capable of. Deep down you know you’re supposed to step out, you know that gift is in you. You’ll be tempted to hide your gift, but if you take that step of faith, God will step in and help you do what you couldn’t do. That gift will come to life, and you’ll discover ability that you didn’t know you had. But you can’t wait till the fear goes away and then you’ll do it. The fear may not go away. You’re going to have to do it in spite of the fear. That’s what faith is all about. “I feel afraid, but fear is not going to control my life. I’m going to step out in faith.” Nobody who’s ever done anything great in life has done it without fear.
While perfecting his famous nickel-iron storage batteries, Thomas Edison is said to have responded to a reporter’s question about all his failures: “I have not failed. I’ve just found ten thousand ways that won’t work.” Even when it doesn’t work out, you’re learning, you’re growing, you’re one step closer to seeing it happen. When we come to the end of life, nothing will be more disappointing than to think, “What could I have become if I hadn’t let fear hold me back, if I hadn’t hidden my talent, my dreams, my gifts?” Life is short, so stir up what God put in you. Make the most of this day. Don’t let fear hold you back.
Don’t let fear talk you out of it. You can’t play it safe your whole life and become who you were created to be. God will put you in situations that look overwhelming because He knows what you’re capable of. Deep down you know you’re supposed to step out, you know that gift is in you. You’ll be tempted to hide your gift, but if you take that step of faith, God will step in and help you do what you couldn’t do. That gift will come to life, and you’ll discover ability that you didn’t know you had. But you can’t wait till the fear goes away and then you’ll do it. The fear may not go away. You’re going to have to do it in spite of the fear. That’s what faith is all about. “I feel afraid, but fear is not going to control my life. I’m going to step out in faith.” Nobody who’s ever done anything great in life has done it without fear.
While perfecting his famous nickel-iron storage batteries, Thomas Edison is said to have responded to a reporter’s question about all his failures: “I have not failed. I’ve just found ten thousand ways that won’t work.” Even when it doesn’t work out, you’re learning, you’re growing, you’re one step closer to seeing it happen. When we come to the end of life, nothing will be more disappointing than to think, “What could I have become if I hadn’t let fear hold me back, if I hadn’t hidden my talent, my dreams, my gifts?” Life is short, so stir up what God put in you. Make the most of this day. Don’t let fear hold you back.