Are You A Prisoner of Fear?

“Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and
possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not,
neither be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 1:21)

What separates you from the 12 spies? God told Moses to send 12 men to spy out the land of Canaan. He told him to send a man from each tribe. They were to find out about the land and the people in the land. Moses wanted to know what the fruit of the land was like, and how the people lived.

The men went into the land and found that it was a prosperous land. But the people there were very different, and the spies were afraid of them. They were gone for 40 days. When they returned to their own camp, they showed Moses the good fruit they had found in the land. Ten of the men began to tell Moses about the giants and how fearful they were. They said, "We cannot go into this land, we were just like grasshoppers in our own sight, and also in the sight of the people there."

The Israelites didn't want to go and take Canaan as God wanted. God punished them by making them wander in the desert for 40 years. They had to wander around one year for every day the spies had been gone.

My friend, your actions influence other people. If you have a positive attitude, you are an encouragement to others for good. If you have a negative attitude, you discourage others. God doesn't expect you to do everything on your own. Maybe you have started a new business. Do you lack the courage to make new connections? Do you feel like you are a "grasshopper" in the sight of others? God is calling you to possess the land, so let courage be your portion.

When you become a prisoner of fear, you are wandering in “the desert” with no way out. Fear holds you back from pursuing your hopes. Conquering fear is the beginning of wisdom. Fear robs you of your passion. Don’t be discouraged, there’s hope because God will help you.

There is hope because I heard God say that He is “restoring your faith”.