Recently, I had the opportunity to join my husband on his business trip to Paris.
While my husband set off to work, I decided to venture out and visit a cafe nearby. Everything in the vicinity was tourist-friendly and I felt comfortable.
The next day, I decided to visit a cafe farther away because they had great reviews. I pulled up the directions on my phone and I started walking.
However, as I was moving further away from the familiar, I began to feel nervous about where I was going. I mean, I was in a new city. I only knew a few words in French. How would I communicate if I was lost?
I was navigated to turn toward a gravel path filled with trees. I found myself filled with fear as I wondered, “What is ahead of me?”
Sadly, my frazzled nerves got the best of me. I decided to turn back and I settled for a cafe close to my hotel.
Later in the evening, my husband and I went out and we ended up walking on the same route. However, this time we rounded the corner into the unfamiliar area I had been so nervous about. When we had walked through the gravel and past the trees, we found ourselves in a large park with the most majestic, unadulterated view of the Eiffel Tower!
I could NOT believe how I had allowed fear to prevent me from experiencing this earlier.
I am reminded of the 12 spies who Moses sent to explore Canaan in Numbers chapter 13. They explored the land for 40 days and returned with fruit from it. While they all saw the same thing, they had different reports of it.
Ten men said, “All the people we saw there are very tall.” … We felt as small as grasshoppers, and that’s how we must have looked to them.” (verses 32-33)
In comparison, Joshua and Caleb said, “… don’t be afraid of the people of the land … the Lord is with us.” (Numbers 14:9).
As a result of the fear that led to a false narrative, the ten were not permitted to enter the Promised Land. However, as a result of faith, Joshua and Caleb, along with their families, entered the Promised Land and enjoyed the many blessings of this land.
Dear Friend, as you look at your circumstances or at the world around us, what is your report? Are you filled with fear or faith?
It’s a natural response as human beings to feel afraid at first. But will you let fear do the talking or will you allow faith to rise?
Look at what the Psalmist David shared from his own trials:
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
“Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.” (Psalm 27:3)
“So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear”. (Hebrews 13:6)
May faith arise!
~Joyce
