What factors influence your personal design for life? Upon what do you base your goals? I believe in living big and dreaming big, but that can only happen once we slide out from underneath the thumb of fear. Otherwise, fear crushes dreams.
Do Not Be Afraid
Recently, I came across two very similar verses in 2 Chronicles. In 2 Chronicles 20 foreigners war against Jesoshaphat, King of Judah. Afterward, his people come together to seek the Lord’s will. The Spirit of the Lord descends on one of the men and admonishes them not to be afraid.
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s (2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV).
Similarly, in chapter 32, Hezekiah is now King of Judah, and the Assyrian army lays siege to fortified cities. Subsequently, military officers offer encouragement to the people.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. (2 Chronicles 32:7).
During my quiet time, I thought, Wait, that’s the same verse. “Do not be afraid of this vast army…”
Twice in one book of the Bible, the author tells us the battle is not ours to fight but God’s. Why is this important?
Fear Crushes Dreams
We get stuck believing what we do is in our own strength. Moreover, the same goes for our goals and dreams.
Have you ever put a dream away in a drawer because you didn’t think you had what it takes to make it happen?
While we should live within our means, should we dream within our means? No, dreams are meant to be reaching, arcing, extending beyond what we currently have. If we dream about what we can already accomplish, we sell ourselves short.
We all have a purpose, something we are supposed to do in the world. Consequently, God reveals this purpose to us (as we are ready) in the form of opportunities and intuition. God places dreams on our hearts because we’re meant to chase them.
What dreams do you have?
If the goal seems too big or you feel you lack what it takes, not to worry, God is bigger and stronger. He can provide what it takes.
I have to build a social media platform as a writer, which is not my forte. But I’m going to master marketing and build an amazing platform. Therefore, I’m praying and taking steps in that direction. I repeat to myself, Do not be afraid of this vast army. The battle is God’s.
I do the work and trust the results to Him.
Put in the time. Put in the sweat. Dream big. Live big.
Fear crushes dreams. Step out in faith.
Love, K.
I do the work and trust the results to Him–I have to remind myself of this almost daily. Thanks for sharing!
Me, too! It’s a lesson I have to relearn frequently!
Love that you apply this to your “platform”. The vast army can be intimidating. Praise God that the battle is His!
He’s going to win this one for me! Platform beware! 🙂
Platforms take a lot of time and attention, I know. I’m grateful that it’s a work we don’t do on our own!
Yes, platform building requires a strategy! Thanks for commenting.