To see this in video format, click here!
Wanna kick fear to the curb in the new year? Are you tired of being afraid? Wanna fresh start and a path to courage and boldness? Let’s talk…
Kicking fear out of your life is not just a good idea on your part—it is a continuing theme throughout the Bible. In my new book Freefall: God’s Path to Courage and Boldness I outline the path God took me through. Through this process he transformed me from being a very fearful young adult into being a bold guy who volunteered for combat and other dangerous missions.
I assure you I am no one special—outside of being loved by the God of the universe (and that is very special!). Here’s the deal though, I had some very severe anxiety and frequent panic attacks. At the same time, my dream (from the Lord I perceive) was to be an Air Force pilot.
Seemed impossible. But this path of kicking fear to the curb that God lead me through cured the anxiety and panic attacks. All without drugs—just through following a specific path of walking with God and doing certain things.
But just to start this process—here’s some motivation to see this through.
The Old Testament Story of Gideon may or may not be familiar to you. Let me summarize and give you a big takeaway about the importance of kicking fear off the throne.
Gideon was a regular guy who would become one of the judges of Israel. His nation was occupied by the Midianites—the were abusing the people of Israel and stealing their food.
An angel comes to Gideon while he is trying to secretly process some wheat. He was not at this point a courageous guy.
The angel takes Gideon on a path of discovering the truth of God being with him (as he is with us) and through some small steps built his trust. Then he gives him the big assignment—a real doozie.
Gideon was to rally the fighting men of Israel and attack the very strong army of Midian while they were in their camp at night.
32,000 men show up—and the Lord is not pleased. He will eventually whittle this large group down to a mere 300 dudes of questionable fighting ability.
Consider this though, the first thing God tells Gideon to announce is that if anyone is fearful, they can go home.
Say what?
The Midianites clearly have the advantage of numbers, strength, and success in battle. God lets 10,000 tuck tail and run?
Yep.
Eventually there are only 300 men armed with—well, they were not armed much at all. They were equipped with pots, torches, and horns.
Gideon and the 300 surround the camp of Midian at night and on command, break the pots with flaming torches inside, blow the horns, and shout a particular phrase.
Then they watched the mighty army of Gideon panic and turn on each other—the 300 stood and watched as the Sovereign Lord of all orchestrated a resounding defeat of Midian.
Takeaways
Think about being one of the 10,000 soldiers who ran home to momma. They preserved their lives, but at what cost?
They did not get to see God working with great power right in front of their eyes. The God who even early in the story Gideon asks “Where is he?”
They also likely got home not long after they left for battle to the questions of the spouse and children, “Why are you home already? Did you win the battle?”
Eyes lowered, shame filling their hearts, the mumbled, “ummm, Gideon said if we were scared we could…go home.”
There is something visceral in a woman, she craves security. Being married to a man who will not fight when fight is needed strikes her deep in her core. If he will run from the fight for his people, will he defend her and the children if they are attacked?
The fear of the 10,000 represents a failure of who God intended them to be. Living fearfully is a betrayal of who God calls us to be.
”The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.” (Pro. 21:31) Our great God continually reminds us in Scripture that we, his people, have nothing to fear. If we are walking in the light, in his presence, then our faith is demonstrated by our walking into whatever he puts in front of us.
Ultimately we know that, as we grow in our faith, that our God is worth everything, even our death. For on the other side of death we will be with him. Even death is awesome for the redeemed.
In this new year may we, the children of God, kick fear to the curb. Stay tuned for the next 12 installments of the path to courage.
And for a more in-depth guide to the process of kicking fear to the curb, get my book Freefall: God’s Path to Courage and Boldness.
Let us choose faith and courage in the new year…
(Image by yogisic/iStockphoto)
Kicking Fear in the New Year-Intro
Posted: January 4, 2025 by Stephen K. Moore · Leave a Comment
To see this in video format, click here!
Wanna kick fear to the curb in the new year? Are you tired of being afraid? Wanna fresh start and a path to courage and boldness? Let’s talk…
Kicking fear out of your life is not just a good idea on your part—it is a continuing theme throughout the Bible. In my new book Freefall: God’s Path to Courage and Boldness I outline the path God took me through. Through this process he transformed me from being a very fearful young adult into being a bold guy who volunteered for combat and other dangerous missions.
I assure you I am no one special—outside of being loved by the God of the universe (and that is very special!). Here’s the deal though, I had some very severe anxiety and frequent panic attacks. At the same time, my dream (from the Lord I perceive) was to be an Air Force pilot.
Seemed impossible. But this path of kicking fear to the curb that God lead me through cured the anxiety and panic attacks. All without drugs—just through following a specific path of walking with God and doing certain things.
But just to start this process—here’s some motivation to see this through.
The Old Testament Story of Gideon may or may not be familiar to you. Let me summarize and give you a big takeaway about the importance of kicking fear off the throne.
Gideon was a regular guy who would become one of the judges of Israel. His nation was occupied by the Midianites—the were abusing the people of Israel and stealing their food.
An angel comes to Gideon while he is trying to secretly process some wheat. He was not at this point a courageous guy.
The angel takes Gideon on a path of discovering the truth of God being with him (as he is with us) and through some small steps built his trust. Then he gives him the big assignment—a real doozie.
Gideon was to rally the fighting men of Israel and attack the very strong army of Midian while they were in their camp at night.
32,000 men show up—and the Lord is not pleased. He will eventually whittle this large group down to a mere 300 dudes of questionable fighting ability.
Consider this though, the first thing God tells Gideon to announce is that if anyone is fearful, they can go home.
Say what?
The Midianites clearly have the advantage of numbers, strength, and success in battle. God lets 10,000 tuck tail and run?
Yep.
Eventually there are only 300 men armed with—well, they were not armed much at all. They were equipped with pots, torches, and horns.
Gideon and the 300 surround the camp of Midian at night and on command, break the pots with flaming torches inside, blow the horns, and shout a particular phrase.
Then they watched the mighty army of Gideon panic and turn on each other—the 300 stood and watched as the Sovereign Lord of all orchestrated a resounding defeat of Midian.
Takeaways
Think about being one of the 10,000 soldiers who ran home to momma. They preserved their lives, but at what cost?
They did not get to see God working with great power right in front of their eyes. The God who even early in the story Gideon asks “Where is he?”
They also likely got home not long after they left for battle to the questions of the spouse and children, “Why are you home already? Did you win the battle?”
Eyes lowered, shame filling their hearts, the mumbled, “ummm, Gideon said if we were scared we could…go home.”
There is something visceral in a woman, she craves security. Being married to a man who will not fight when fight is needed strikes her deep in her core. If he will run from the fight for his people, will he defend her and the children if they are attacked?
The fear of the 10,000 represents a failure of who God intended them to be. Living fearfully is a betrayal of who God calls us to be.
”The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.” (Pro. 21:31) Our great God continually reminds us in Scripture that we, his people, have nothing to fear. If we are walking in the light, in his presence, then our faith is demonstrated by our walking into whatever he puts in front of us.
Ultimately we know that, as we grow in our faith, that our God is worth everything, even our death. For on the other side of death we will be with him. Even death is awesome for the redeemed.
In this new year may we, the children of God, kick fear to the curb. Stay tuned for the next 12 installments of the path to courage.
And for a more in-depth guide to the process of kicking fear to the curb, get my book Freefall: God’s Path to Courage and Boldness.
Let us choose faith and courage in the new year…
(Image by yogisic/iStockphoto)
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