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Is fear holding you back?

A devotion about trusting God when out of our comfort zones

Fear. A simple word, yet one with severe consequences if we give into it or let it hold us back. 
 
As I was reading in 1 Samuel, something stood out to me that never had before. 1 Samuel 10:21-22 says, “Then he brought each family of the tribe of Benjamin before the Lord, and the family of the Matrites was chosen. And finally Saul son of Kish was chosen from among them. But when they looked for him, he had disappeared. So they asked the Lord, 'Where is he?' And the Lord replied ‘He is hiding among the baggage.'" 
 
Samuel was selecting a king from the 12 tribes of Israel, and when he finally chose Saul, there was no sign of him. Saul was afraid and found a place to lay low and hide. Interestingly, Saul’s hiding place was not behind or beside the baggage, it was among it. 
 
How many times have we used our “baggage” as a barrier? When God is calling us to do something, go somewhere or be fully who he's made us to be, we get scared and hide among our baggage. 

The baggage we hide among is not always bad; it can be good or noble activities. But it becomes unhealthy when used as a crutch, a distraction or a means for us to hide, hindering us from stepping fully into what God is calling us to. 

Operating out of fear will not only hurt us, but those around us who will never be impacted as a result of our specific kingdom assignment. 
 
Sometimes what God calls us to do is scary and outside our comfort zone. Sometimes it sounds crazy or countercultural. But I promise, it will be worth it in the end. 

When we trust God and walk fully in his purpose for our lives, we will thrive and be filled with joy. 

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” –Romans 15:13

Written by Maria Pagano, who works on the donor engagement team at Buckner International.

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