FEAR

     Fear! We have all experienced it. Maybe as a child, teen or adult one time or another we had a huge fear. Maybe it's the fear of spiders, elevators, clowns, the dark or maybe rejection. Each of us have had one time or another "phobia.' As a child for me, there were many things I was afraid of just like any kid. They were all bizarre. I remember having a fear of my grandparents basement. They lived in Secaucus, NJ and my grandfather was a wedding photographer. In his basement, he had a curtain draped across the back part of his basement. As a kid, I was always afraid to look behind that curtain because I thought...The Statue of Liberty would attack me. Yes, I had quite the imagination. He also had a dark room in his basement where he developed film. I always thought there was a villain who lived there who wore a black cape who might want to scare me. I discovered years later as an adult that both of these things were my imagination and the Statue of Liberty was still facing New York City and never came to life, and no one wearing a black cape shared my grandparents basement. Living in New Jersey I was afraid of "The Blob" and also thought the Boogieman lived in our basement. I remember running up my stairs real fast to avoid the Boogieman. My parents would ask me why I was running so fast. I would say "Oh, no reason." Again, I discovered years later the Boogieman was all in my head and it was my imagination. And the Blob was only a movie made to scare people in the late 1950's.

     I also remember in college a fear I had that bothered me a lot. I had a fear of talking in front of people. Being a shy kid, I was petrified to speak in front of people. Just a few weeks before I left for Bible College, my church asked me to speak on a Wednesday night. I thought it was going to be a piece of cake. I prepared and felt ready. To keep my mind off the message, I went water skiing that day. I remember putting on my suit, feeling somewhat nervous but confident. Pastor Forseth introduced me and as I turned to face the audience I went into a huge panic. I don't remember one word I said that Wednesday night and thought my ministry career, although very short was over. If it wasn't for a brother in the Lord who told me I was awesome, I don't think I would have had my parents drive me to Northeastern Bible College. I was concerned about this fear for a long time. I even met with one of my Pastors, Pastor Arntsen and asked him what I could do to overcome this fear. He said something to me that I will never forget. He said, "David, if you are NOT nervous before you speak, then there is something wrong with you. We all get nervous. In fact, before I speak to the congregation, I'm scared to death." I always remember that! My way of overcoming that fear was to get up in front of people and just share. Just be yourself. Let God work through you. It helped me tremendously!

     As an adult, my fears were not imaginary things like people hiding in my basement or the Blob, but issues we all face. Paying bills, meeting deadlines, making sure your boss is happy with your job performance or wondering what the future holds for you. The bible clearly tells is in 2 Timothy 1:7 - God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and of a sound mind. We have no reason to be in fear. To use a "street term", God has our backs! He will never let us down. He wants what's best for us! We have no need to have any fear. I am always comforted when I reflect on this scripture. I am so glad that I have a personal relationship with Jesus. I have o reason to fear whatsoever. I pray this encourages you all today!

GOD BLESS YOU!!