Do It Afraid

When God's Purpose Becomes Greater Than Your Fear

There was a time in my life when the thought of standing in front of a group of people to speak would send me into complete panic mode. I'm not talking about being a little nervous or having butterflies in my stomach. I'm talking about genuine fear! Public speaking was one of my biggest fears, and if you had told me years ago that God would use my voice to encourage, inspire, and minister to others, I probably would have laughed and told you that He had the wrong person.

But isn't that just like God? He has a way of calling us into places we never imagined ourselves being, not because we are qualified or comfortable, but because He knows what He has placed inside of us.

About six years or so, God started doing something in my life that I didn't fully understand at the time. I joined a church where opportunities to speak began presenting themselves. It started with serving in the New Members Ministry, which eventually led to me hosting a life group on Zoom during the pandemic, then I was on a panel with other ministers on a regular basis. What started as an opportunity to connect with others turned into something I would continue doing for years.

Now, don't think for one minute that I suddenly became comfortable speaking because I was doing it regularly. Absolutely not! Every time I had to speak, the nervousness would show up. I would question myself, rehearse what I wanted to say, and wonder whether I was going to make a complete fool of myself.

But I kept showing up.

I once heard someone say, "When God gives you an assignment, do it afraid." Those words never left me because I realized that I had been waiting for fear to disappear before I could confidently walk in what God was calling me to do.

The truth is, my fear of public speaking didn't go away. God's purpose for my life just became stronger than my fear.

I think about Moses when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses had every excuse imaginable, including his inability to speak eloquently. In Exodus 4:10, Moses tells God that he is not good with words and has difficulty speaking. But God's response reminds us that the One who gives us the assignment is also the One who equips us to carry it out.

Exodus 4:12 (NLT), God tells Moses: "Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say."

That Scripture speaks to me differently now because I understand what it means to stand before people, nervous and uncertain, yet trusting God to give me the words.

Over the years, I've had the privilege of speaking on many occasions. And if you know me, you know I believe in being prepared. I will spend hours writing out exactly what I want to say, making sure every thought is organized and every word makes sense. I'll read it, reread it, make corrections, and convince myself that I'm ready. Then I stand up to speak, and the Holy Spirit has an entirely different plan.

Before I know it, I'm speaking from my heart, sharing things I hadn't written down, and sometimes never even looking at the pages I spent hours preparing. I'm learning that preparation is important, but so is surrender. Sometimes God simply wants us to make ourselves available and trust Him with the outcome.

Recently, I was in a store minding my own business when a lady approached me and introduced herself. We started talking, and within a few minutes, she invited me to speak at a women's event she was doing.

I had to laugh!

Here I was, once again, being presented with an opportunity to stand before people and speak. The very thing that once terrified me was becoming part of the purpose God was unfolding in my life.

And what amazes me is that I wasn't out looking for the opportunity. I was simply going about my day.

That encounter reminded me that when God has an assignment for your life, He knows exactly where to find you. You don't have to force every door open. Sometimes He will bring the opportunity right to where you are.

I still get nervous. I still prepare more than I probably need to. And yes, there are moments when that old fear tries to remind me of who I used to be.

But I'm no longer allowing fear to make my decisions. Second Timothy 1:7 (NLT) reminds us: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."

I've come to understand that courage doesn't always mean the absence of fear. Sometimes courage is simply trusting God enough to take the next step while your knees are still shaking.

And perhaps that's what someone reading this needs to hear today.

What has fear kept you from doing? What opportunity have you turned down because you didn't feel qualified, prepared, educated, or confident enough? How many times have you talked yourself out of something that God may have been trying to use to move you closer to your purpose?

We often pray for God to use us, but when He begins opening doors that require us to step outside our comfort zones, we hesitate.

I know because I've done it. But I've also learned that we cannot ask God to enlarge our territory while insisting on remaining in the small spaces where we feel safe.

Growth can be uncomfortable. Purpose can be intimidating. And obedience sometimes requires us to walk into situations where we have absolutely no control over the outcome.

But that's where faith comes in. I don't know how many more opportunities God will give me to speak, whose life my testimony might touch, or what He has planned for the next chapter of my journey. What I do know is that I'm grateful He sees something in me worth using.

Not because I'm perfect. Not because I have all the answers. And certainly not because I've conquered every fear.

But because I'm willing. These days, before I stand to speak, I think about the words of David in Psalm 19:14 (NLT): "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."

That's my desire. Not to impress an audience, not to receive applause, and not to prove that I've overcome something. I simply want my words to honor God and, hopefully, encourage someone who needs to hear that their circumstances, struggles, and fears do not disqualify them from being used by Him.

If God can take a woman who once panicked and at the thought of public speaking and give her opportunities to share His goodness, imagine what He can do with the very thing you've been afraid to confront.

Don't wait until you're fearless to walk in your purpose. Sometimes the miracle isn't that God removes the fear, but that He gives you the strength to move forward in spite of it.

As for me, I may still get nervous. My hands may still shake, and I may still spend hours preparing words that the Holy Spirit decides I won't need.

I'm going anyway. Because at this stage of my life, I'm more concerned about missing God's assignment than I am about facing my fears.

Afraid or not, here I am, Lord. Send me!

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for seeing purpose in us even when all we can see are our limitations. Thank You for not allowing our fears, insecurities, and doubts to determine what You can accomplish through our lives.

Lord, forgive us for the times we have allowed fear to silence our voices, close doors, or keep us from walking in the assignments You have placed before us. Remind us that You don't need us to be perfect; You simply ask us to be willing.

For the person reading this who is struggling with fear, I pray that You give them the courage to take that first step. Remind them that they are never walking alone and that whatever You have called them to do, You will provide the strength, wisdom, and grace to accomplish it.

Continue to use my life, my voice, and my testimony for Your glory. May the words of my mouth always be pleasing in Your sight, and may I never become so comfortable that I stop being willing to follow wherever You lead.

And when fear tries to rise again, remind me that Your purpose is greater.

Here I am, Lord. Send me.

In Jesus' mighty name we pray and believe, Amen.