Fearful

I doubt that any among us would claim to have a fearful approach to life. We recognize that we are called to a better, more powerful lifestyle than that.

Now I will admit to being 'cautious' in some circumstances and 'measured' in other situations. I am 'thoughtful' and am not given to just jumping into the deep end.

But whatever words you put on this approach to life, the end result is much the same: inaction. Sometimes I'm so cautious or measured, that I do nothing, and I think the root of my caution is fear -- maybe not quaking-in-my-boots fear, but fear nonetheless.

In the book of Acts, the disciples are characterized by boldness. Paul writes to various churches, encouraging them to make the most of their opportunities. (Gal. 6:10, Eph 5:16, Col 4:5) We are encouraged to set aside what hinders and RUN the race (Heb 12:1)

No, I don't think we are supposed to be reckless or thoughtless, but I do think there is supposed to be an element of venturousness in our approach to life. Some opportunities don't come around more than once; we have to be willing to move forward.

You can't step into the same river twice, according to Heraclitus. Shakespeare may have overstated this a bit, but he said, "There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries."

Paul tells us that we are not just conquerors, but more than conquerors. (Rom 8:37) He urges us to believe that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. He describes a lifestyle of faith and confidence.

When did we stray from that advice? When did we succomb to the "what ifs"? When did we grow so fearful of failure that we stopped moving forward? (And just what do we view as "failure" anyway; have we misdefined it?)

Although we are supposed to be humble, we aren't told to be timid.