Sometimes, I think fear comes from thinking that we have to be in control, or that everything depends upon us. And we're not sure we're good enough.
But when we know that God is in control, and that everything depends upon Him, and that He loves us enough to have sent His Son to die for us, then we no longer have to be afraid.
I had a great year in 1993. I hit .363 and won a batting championship. Everything fell into place, and everything that could possibly go right, did. In some ways, I thought I had hitting all figured out.
But then I struggled. The next years were difficult. I couldn't hit. I tried to do different things. I tried pulling the ball instead of going to all fields. I even found myself being platooned. I knew I was a disappointment to a lot of people. They were expecting me to hit .320 or .330, and I was struggling along at .240. And I lost my confidence in my ability.
But my faith in God got me through. I knew He was in charge, and all I had to do was trust Him. I knew He had a plan for me, and would not abandon me. I knew how much He loved me and valued me, and I relied on Him.
When we trust God, and know He is in charge, we are always victorious. Like Gideon. Think how foolish Gideon must have looked. He took on the Midianite army of 135,000 with just 300 men. That's ridiculous. And people who saw it must have thought Gideon was a fool. But Gideon knew it didn't depend upon him. If it would have, he would have lost. He knew God had given him the victory.
Gideon hadn't always been so trusting. For a while, he was fearful. He thought everything depended upon him, and he didn't think he could do it. But then God showed him the truth – that He is in control, and those who trust Him are victorious.
David, the shepherd boy who became the king, had a similar experience. He did battle with Goliath, the giant, without any armor or protection, and with nothing but a slingshot and a few stones. To those who were watching, it must have looked ridiculous. But David trusted that God was in control, and Goliath was conquered.
We can give our fear to God. When we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, when we know Him as our Savior and Lord, then we know what value we have to Him. And we know that He will never leave us. And we know that, no matter what, He will love us. Then we're no longer afraid of what others might think of us or whether people like us or not. We know that God is with us.
I had surgery for a brain aneurysm when I was younger. I was not a Christian at the time. I thought I was. I mean I grew up in a Christian family, and my folks said we were Christian, so I assumed I was. It wasn't until later that I understood what a personal relationship with Jesus is all about. That brain aneurysm taught me that we are not in control, and that life comes with no guarantees. I assumed that just by taking care of myself, and not doing foolish things, I would live a long time. I thought I was in control. But I was not. God is.
That's what the cross is all about, too. It's God's way of giving victory in our lives. It doesn't depend upon us. Some people think salvation depends upon them, whether they're good enough or try hard enough, or do enough good things. And they are always fearful, because they never know whether they're good enough or not.
But the cross is God's way for us. He says all ours sins are forgiven. He's taken care of every one of them, paid for them, and removed them. It's called grace. I suppose that seems ridiculous to so many people, who think they have to earn their way, that it depends upon them.
But, just like with Gideon, whose victory over the Midianites seemed impossible, and just like with David, whose victory over Goliath seemed impossible, the cross, Jesus' death for us, gives us victory over our sins, which would be impossible for us to do on our own.
It's no wonder God so many times says, "Fear not." He's already given us the victory.