Recently I saw an interview on the Today Show where a couple of entrepreneurs  were telling their story about what motivated them to go out on their own and get started in the frightening world of self-employment. At the top of the discussion was the “fear factor.” Fear of failure, fear of financial loss, fear of the unknown, fear of this and fear of that. As the conversation continued, it became evident that once they overcame their fears they were able to launch out into a new and exciting career filled with the mountaintops and valleys of owning their own business. They had come to the point where they  looked back trying to figure out what took them so long to make the decisions necessary to overcome their fears and push toward the passions waiting to be released in their hearts.

As I write this, I wonder how many inventions, how many cures, how many successful ventures and adventures are out there in the world right now locked away in the treasure trove of someone’s mind, being held captive by fear. I’m also curious how many people from past generations and times have gone to their graves never sharing the creativity they secretly held inside – all in the name of fear.

Why is it that the human race seems to obsess over fear? It fills our books and magazines and medical journals. It keeps countless doctor and psychiatrist waiting rooms full. It leaves millions tossing and turning sleeplessly in their beds at night. The doubt, the unknown, the presumed, the unidentified – the list could go on and on.

So is it fear that’s holding you back from greatness?

In Nehemiah chapter one we read about a man, an ordinary man, faced with a huge challenge. He had received news from the homeland that his beloved city and the capitol of his people had been destroyed and was decaying into dust. In his mind he envisioned it becoming extinct, removed from history and forgotten. He wanted to do something – anything – to turn this horrible tragedy around and rebuild the city to its original grandeur.

Notice his tone in Neh. 1:4, “And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned [certain] days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven…” What a painful, heart-broken picture is painted here. Immediately, Nehemiah begins to pray. After he prays, in chapter two he reports to work as the king’s cup-bearer. Right away the king notices that there’s something wrong with Nehemiah.

You see, Nehemiah had prayed and shared his burden with the Lord. I’m sure at some point he had determined that his place was in Jerusalem, perhaps even leading in the reconstruction project. He had laid out plans, at least in his head, of the tasks that needed to be done. The only thing that stood in his way was the fact that he was technically a slave, a slave to a foreign king.

So you could say that Nehemiah was in tune with God understanding the role that He had for him. He was prayed up and confident. He had a plan and was ready for action. God was going to restore Jerusalem and allow the dispersed Israelites to return home to rebuild their nation. He was excited at the prospect while at the same time down-hearted at the circumstances.

The king noticed this change of countenance and asked Nehemiah what the problem was. All of a sudden, we see in verse two, “…Then I was very sore afraid…” He got scared. The fear factor rose its ugly head and looked Nehemiah straight in the eyes. After explaining the situation to the king, he prayed a quick prayer (verse four) and told the king all about the plans that God had laid on his heart.

The king was very receptive and agreed to send Nehemiah to fulfill his passion, even supplying materials and aid. I wonder if Nehemiah ever looked back and asked himself why he was afraid to ask the king if he could go and rebuild Jerusalem?

My friend, this is so typical. We pray and ask for God to lead and when he does and we’re ready to set about the task, fear attacks from out of no where. Maybe the message is you’re not talented enough or rich enough or physically fit enough or whatever – you know the voice of defeat that mounts silently within you even before one step is taken to follow the Lord’s will.

So why do we fear?

The answer lies in a simple truth . . . where fear comes from.

The Bible tells us, that as Christians, we have the power of the Holy Spirit literally living inside of us. He is strong (for He is God) and able to use us to carry out God’s will in our lives. Look at this verse very close and understand the fullness of what it says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) We must recognize that the Holy Spirit brings us power, love, and clear thinking. Anything contrary is NOT OF GOD!

Consider this verse, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry , Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15) Fear brings us into bondage – it chains us and keeps us bound. It prevents us from living life fully as God intended. It paralyzes the beautiful creative spirit that our heavenly Father bestowed us with and separates us from the sweet fellowship so necessary in our relationship with Him.

Fear comes from the enemy – the devil. He is the one who wants to see us defeated. He is the one who tells us we’re not good enough. Realize that it’s the adversary that brings you down and cling to these precious promises from God, the One who lifts us up with His unconditional love. We can rise above fear and go forth to do all those great things God has called and inspired us to do.