Facing fear

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear. - Mark Twain

Fear is something God has given us (2 Timothy 1:7) but it something we struggle with daily. We may fear losing our job, our health or even our life, but we have to learn to trust God because we know that He is faithful and takes care of us.

Ironically, the thing most of us are deathly afraid is something very simple - telling people about the only one who can truly provide and take away our fear. It is the fear of sharing with people about our relationship with Jesus Christ.

I believe God has called Christians to be bold and courageous, especially when sharing our faith with non-believers. Yet, often times fear stands in the way and prevents us from talking about Jesus and our personal story of how we came to know Him.

Sharing the Gospel of Jesus is one of the most important things we can do as Christians while on earth-it is what we are all called to do both through our words and actions, but it can also be one of the most difficult things to do.

I believe there are three basic things that will help us, as believers, overcome fear when it comes to sharing our faith:

1. Education.The first step in telling someone about God is to share what He has done in your own life. Practice telling your own faith journey concisely, using terms others can understand.

2. Understanding the Basics of the Gospel. While there is no need to have a theology degree to share your faith, it is important to be able to understand basic principles to answer questions. Don't be afraid to say you don't know and refer someone to a pastor or mentor.

3. Prayer. This may seem elementary, but by being consistent in prayer you can ask for compassion for people, the Holy Spirit's guidance and the opportunity to share your faith.

Christians often quote Philippians 4:13, which says we can do anything through Christ who gives us strength, but we don't apply that verse to our faith. We need boldness, not confidence, when sharing faith and that is something gained only through Christ. If we ask God for this and to provide us the opportunity to be a witness, He will.

--Jay