When You Get Scared

“But mom I’m scared!” came from a quivering little boy voice as we played at the park.

“Just make your plan, focus on the steps, and keep your eyes where you are going” I hear my voice call out to him.

And I froze.  Those words that had come out of my mouth were the exact words that I had needed to hear.  It’s as if they were meant for me but spoken to him in that moment.

I love when God speaks directly to us even when He is speaking it through us.

It reminded me of a story about Moses.  God called Moses out of Midian to return to Egypt (the land he had fled from) and lead the Israelite people out of slavery.  Moses was scared.  He doubted, he questioned God, and he came up with excuses of why he shouldn’t be the one to go.  He even said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11)

Sort of like what we do when God calls us to something…we get scared, we doubt, we run, we avoid, we come up with excuses and think if we push it aside it will eventually just go away.  Just like my little boy…He wanted to avoid the journey across the monkey bars because he was scared.  He doubted his ability to get all the way across and he was looking for a way out.

When we get scared and we doubt what it is that God is calling us to, we are not alone.  Moses as well as many others felt these exact feelings.  BUT they didn’t let those feeling stop them from doing what God had asked of them.  Moses went to Egypt and stood in front of Pharaoh and watched as God performed miracle after miracle just like He said He would…

Because He is faithful.

God knew Moses was the right man for the job.  He chose him, He anointed him for the task, and He worked miracles through him.  And He has chosen each one of us for an assignment as well.  It’s easy to be scared, to doubt, to want to run; but remember, He who promised is faithful.

And God said, “I will be with you.  And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt you will worship God on this mountain.”  Exodus 3:12

As I walked over and helped my little boy step by step across the monkey bars I smiled as I pictured how God helps us step by step.  He was with Moses and He is with us too.  He is right there, holding out his hands, watching over us as he nudges us along on the journey.  Don’t give up, don’t give in, but instead pick your head up, focus on the task He has given you and know that He is there with you, every step of the way.

Blessings,

The Johnstons