Moving from Fear to Faith

As I prepared to write my book, My Yes is on the Table: Moving from Fear to Faith, I asked friends on social media to answer this question.

I want to say yes to God, but I am afraid of _________________.

The answers came pouring in. 

Rejection.

Not having enough resources.

What will other people think of my yes?

Failure.

The list could go on and on.

I have found myself struggling with fear stops many times.  My fears often involve the fear of rejection.  

• I want to say yes to you, God, and write this book proposal, but I am afraid of more rejection after ten years of no.
• I want to say yes to this speaking engagement, but I fear I will not be as good as the speakers I am comparing myself to.

Fear can paralyze and prevent us from our yes to God, but faith steps propel us in obedience to Him. 

I imagine Joshua was afraid of his yes to God.  He was going to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land. 

He knew they had missed it before, and He knew Moses was a beloved leader that He would have to try to fit in His shoes.  

But Joshua said yes.

^“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

I do not believe God was condemning fear in Joshua but that He provided the solution for Joshua. 

He was with Him wherever He went in His yes.

Where do you sense God is asking you to say yes?

On September 20, 2021, I enjoyed celebrating the one-year anniversary of signing my dream book contract with Moody Publishing.  (11 years of no for God’s perfect timing of YES!)  I planned to celebrate by visiting the newly open Trader Joe’s in town.

It was pouring rain, and as I accelerated on the ramp to access the interstate, there was standing water that I had no way of seeing.  I hydroplaned, and I remember every slow-motion-second as I spun six times across five lanes of interstate traffic.

Eventually, I was hit head-on, slammed into a concrete barrier, and ended in the middle lane of traffic.

Miraculously, I walked away with only one deep cut and a few broken ribs.  

I also walked away with a fear that I had never experienced before.  I never wanted to drive again—especially in the rain. 

Fear wanted to stop me.  But I had places to be and things to do as I said yes to God. 

I believe the things I learned that kept fear from stopping me can help you, as you say YES to God and move from “fear stops” to “faith steps.”

1. Let your community be there to encourage you.  The body of Christ carried me during that time.  That is why the Speak Up family is so important.  We are a community living out a calling of yes TOGETHER. We don’t compare or compete. We live to carry each other in community.
2. Invite the presence of God to remind you that WITH God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). I played worship songs over and over as I moved past fear and got back in the driver’s seat.
3. Keep moving forward in faith, instead of being stuck looking backward.

The Israelites moved forward by faith into the Promised Land.  The book of Joshua tells us all about it.

Give God your surrendered “yes,” and watch Him do the rest.

Let’s put our yes on the table together!

PS:  Maybe you’re afraid to sign up for the Speak Up Conference.  I am praying for you because God can use this conference and the Speak Up family to propel you in your faith steps.  He did it for me and he can do it for you.  I’m praying for you and I’m asking God to reveal if this conference is the “yes” He wants you to put on the table.

Question:  What is the “YES” that God has asked you to put on the table?