Fear No More

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

No fear

Don’t Live a Life of Fear

I thought about not writing about this topic, then I wasn’t sure if I wanted to write about it or what I would say. So I’ll go with where I am at the moment. 

Fear is a powerful force. Left unchecked it can drive your life and influence every decision that you make in life. I don’t want to live a life of fear. 

The cases of Ahmad Arbery and George Floyd have really hit home lately. These are such tragic situations that really could take place in any city in America. Add on top of that is the case of Amy Cooper calling the police on an African American man who simply asked her to leash her dog. A rule that is visible throughout the area of Central Park.

I don’t want to go into details about each of the cases but you can research them and find out for yourself. I’m not running from sharing the details, or anything like that, but reading the details and seeing how these men were treated is just hard for me. We are not that different. It could have been me; it could be you or someone you know. 

With all that being said, I can’t let the fear of what “could happen” drive my life. That’s not a way for a person to live their life. So what are we supposed to do?

  • Chose to Love and Not Fear

Choosing to love and not fear doesn’t mean that I will be silent about things that happen. We still have to speak out against horrible acts like this. What it does mean is that I will not hold on to fear in my heart. I will choose to hold on to love. I want my heart to be full of love and not fear. Hopefully, that will come out in my actions to educate others around me, white and black. May that love comes out in the words that I speak and the actions that I have towards others. 

 

  • Don’t become Dull

It seems like there are more and more stories of African Americans being mistreated coming out. Honestly, it’s hard to not become dull to the stories. The more you see, read and hear about a tragedy, the easier it is to get accustomed to it. We live in a 24hr news cycle with Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter we can be inundated with heartbreaking stories. 

We have to find a way to empathize with people that are suffering and also not become dull to “another story.” The balance of that is very hard.  Over and over we read these stories and have to purpose in our hearts not carry the weight of the world with each incident. 

 

  • It’s Okay to Take a Break

As I mentioned above, reading each tragic story can be a lot. It’s a lot for me. On top of that, everything that our country is going through with COVID-19, as an African American father, husband, son, and brother it can be a lot to take in. 

There has been a strong push for mental health. I’m in favor of it. We need to be able to talk, pray, and sometimes detach ourselves at least for a moment so that we can get the clarity and strength we need for ourselves, families, and society. Don’t be afraid or scared to say when you need a break.

Is There an Answer?

None of these steps are solutions to the problems that are going on, but just my thoughts as I process. I’ve been meditating on the scripture that I started with. It’s helped me and I hope that this helps you. 

Setting Goals with God

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Does God want you to set goals? Can we set goals and fulfill what God has for our lives? Are goal setting and following God opposed to each other? For most people these two aspects of our lives don’t come together. So what are we supposed to do?

Effect of Goals on my Life

This past year has been one of tremendous strides. I’ve accomplished things that I hadn’t even really thought about before. I’ve written more than a 100 articles for this very blog, lost weight and changed my eating habits for the better, and I’ve grown closer in my relationship with God.

I was never really a goal setting type of person before the last two years. I can truly say that I’ve only really taken goal setting seriously only within the last year. Just in this small time I can see the impact that this is having on my life.

Goals and God

How does all of this goal setting relate to my relationship with God? There are many times in our lives when God is giving us directions and things that we’re supposed to do. How are we supposed to accomplish the things that God directs us to do, through goal setting.

If you believe in your heart that God has given you an idea on starting a business or non-profit that will help to serve your community, how are you going to get this done? Most people think that God will give them the idea, the details, and the finished product. That’s just not how it happens. If it has happened for you, then you are the exception and not the rule.

If you look at people in the Bible, none of their journeys were easy where everything was put into their laps. From Abraham having to journey to a far land, to Joseph being sold into slavery and then his journey to the top official in Egypt and there was nothing remotely easy about Jesus’ journey.

Together Not Separate

The problem that we run into and seem to have stuck in our heads is that God doesn’t want to be a part of our goal setting. We try to keep these two areas separate, where we should be joining them together.

Our goals are not just meant for work or business aspirations, but they should be used to accomplish the plans that God set before us. Our relationship, faith, prayers, should all be used in our goals to accomplish God’s plan.

Going into this next year, do what I’m planning on doing. Spending time praying asking God for directions on what are the next steps that I need to take. Using my faith to accomplish those goals to do what God has set before me.

 

Discussion Question:

Have you set your goals for the new year yet?

 

3 Ways to Let Your Light Shine

Have you ever seen Tomorrowland? I recently watched this movie and there is a scene near the end of the movie where Hugh Laurie’s character gives a passionate speech. I won’t retell the entire speech, but it caught my attention because it was about being comfortable where we are. We can see signs all around us that are begging for us to step up and make the world better. Instead we don’t to anything because we don’t want to change. You can watch the speech here.

This got me to thinking specifically about my relationship with God, and then I thought broader to Christians as a whole and our place in the world.

Everyday I have the chance to impact someone’s life for the better. Each time I wake up and step out the door , I can show someone the love of God. I’ll admit that I don’t always do that. There are days where I just go about my business and get done what I need to for the day.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The recent mass shooting in Las Vegas is front and center in the news right now. It is sad that it takes a tragedy as horrific as this to get people to open up and want to love one another. As Christians we should be leading the way in living lives that “Glorify our Father in heaven”. Our lives should shine brightest in the darkest of times. The love that we show should be what will draw others to Christ. Here is how we can let our light shine:

Be bold.

There is a reason that a candle stands out in a dark room. It draws your eyes towards it and it helps you to see what is around you. Being bold is not fighting on social media to defend your faith, or arguing with neighbors and friends about the “Christian thing” to do. Let your lifestyle shine and it will draw people in.

Be humble.

Matthew 5:16 says that our good works are seen but they are seen so that God can get the glory. It’s hard to point someone to the God of love, if I take credit for all the good in my life. I would be bragging on myself and I’m not that great that I can, nor should I do that. We have to give God  first place in  our lives. In times of tragedy, it can be easy to say what we are doing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to help, but it is better to put action to my words instead of just talking

It’s a matter of heart.

I truly believe that only God can change someone’s heart. Change them to see the value in life, including their own. It doesn’t matter the type of tragedy, what is important is that if we will let our lights shine then God will continue to get the glory. It is His love that fuels our lights. His love is what powers us day by day to live better lives and impact the hearts of those that we come in contact with everyday.

You[ctt template=”8″ link=”lbp5B” via=”no” ]Your life will shine better than anything that comes out of your mouth[/ctt]

Let’s not let another tragedy come without giving God the chance to shine through us. What can you do to be an example of God’s love today?