“I don’t want to practice anymore.”
My son had just got hit in the head by the soccer ball and I could tell it hurt.
A few seasons ago he took a bad hit to the head, and since then he has been scared it would happen again.
Today, at practice, his fear came true.
What’s your biggest fear?
Snakes?
Dark?
Spiders?
Heights?
Or maybe they are deeper fears- the thing that you believe will knock you down:
Being alone?
Divorce?
Death?
Losing your business?
In Judges, chapters 6-8 we meet a farmer named Gideon. For 7 years the Israelites were suffering under oppression of the Midianites.
Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites invaded the country. They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel. Judges 6: 3-4
After the Israelites cry out to God to save them, an angel appears to Gideon, who is threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites.
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12
Mighty warrior? Do you think Gideon thought of himself as a warrior as he’s hiding in the winepress? I think this was his biggest fear coming true. He was being called to fight & lead, but didn’t want to leave the safety of the cave.
Gideon was fearful.
“But Lord, Gideon asked, “How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
The Lord answered, I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together. Judges 6:15-16
If you keep reading you see that in the end, Gideon did rise up to be a “Mighty Warrior.”
With God’s help, Gideon led 300 men to victory over the Midianites.
What happens when YOUR worst fear comes true?
The enemy wants us to think we know how things will turn out and give up. He wants us to write, “The End” on our story.
But God made us resilient!
In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” John 21:33
Here’s the thing, I’ve had my worst fears come true. I thought I wasn’t going to make it,
BUT I DID!
There are beautiful things that happen when you decide to get back up:
– You realize how strong you are
– You become less fearful
– You start to cultivate thankfulness
– Your friendships grow
– You gain a powerful testimony
– You can help people with similar experiences
– And you see the profound depth of God’s love.
Emerging from hardship, our faith is not just renewed but transformed.
So I give my son a big hug and tell him,
“I know that hurt buddy but look how brave you are! Your worst fear came true, and it didn’t knock you down!”
After a few minutes thinking, he got back up and re-joined his team.
When you are facing your biggest fear, God doesn’t say “I told you so,” Instead,
He aches with you.
Let God be the guiding light in your narrative, helping to rewrite your story.
