Slow Burn: The Work and Wonder of the Waitنموونە

Day 3: Choosing To Triumph Over Fear

When fear reigns in us, it leaves us in a prison of waiting with no hope of release. We start to believe the intimidating thoughts of the Enemy that come into our head—and if we continue in that vein, we’ll never be ready for what God is calling us to. One of the most important things I have learned is to guard my mind. I have developed a practice of evicting thoughts of fear; I don’t let them take up space. When they try to “enter the room,” I shift my thoughts in another direction.

Sometimes we are in the grip of fear without naming it. Maybe we are stagnant, and we label it waiting when in fact we are hiding. Have you ever been there? Deep in your heart you hold dynamic, beautiful dreams, but you can’t break out of your own chains of insecurity and self-doubt. You might be able to see there is plenty to be done now, but you can’t seem to push through the fear.

I imagine Moses had similar thoughts before he found himself speaking with God at the burning bush. He’d been hiding for forty years, trying to live a simple life, when God sought him out and called him by name to tell him that he would be the one to lead God’s people out of slavery in Egypt. God called to him: “Moses! Moses!” Moses responded, “Here I am” (Exodus 3:4).

Today, God calls you by name. You may have ignored him the first time or wasted away the last few years—but today, as you read this, hear heaven call you by name once more. Now is the time to say, “Here I am.” Why don’t you say that right now in your heart as you are reading? Here I am.

The first thing to do in a God moment is respond. You don’t have to pull all the pieces together or fix yourself up. Even your waiting in the desert that seemed like a lost season has prepared you for this moment. Don’t let fear or failure stop you from answering the call.

God calls us to surrender with a heart that says, I’m not running away or hiding; I’m worshiping. I’ll get lost in your love and move forward with your Spirit.

REFLECT: How do you handle seasons of waiting? Do you isolate? Who is someone that has strengthened your journey or who you could reach out to today for support in this season?