Fear is the opposite of faith. If you are fearful, you are lacking faith. God hasn't given us the spirit of fear, but of love and of power and of a sound mind. Why do God's people continue to live in fear?

There are many reasons why we live in fear, but I don't want to focus on all those reasons. I would like us to concentrate on being set free from these fears.

If we want to be set free from fear, we must face our fears. Many years ago, before God called me to the nations, I told myself and others that I would never fly. I was afraid of flying in an airplane because I wouldn't have any control over it. When my eyes were finally opened to the fact that God had called me to the nations, it posed a problem. I couldn't get to India without flying, unless of course, I walked on the water. Well, I really didn't have faith for the last part, so I had to face that fear and get on an airplane. Was I afraid? You bet I was! I can remember my first airplane ride. My eyes were as big as saucers when we left the runway. I began to have a conversation with myself on the plane as we were taking off. The conversation went like this, "What are you doing woman? You're crazy! You're not going to make it! This plane is going down! Are you sure you've done the right thing?" I was so afraid, but yet I knew I had to face that fear in order to get the victory over it. Guess what? I got the victory! Today, I fly all over the world - fearless! It doesn't bother me a bit, but if I had not taken that initial step of facing my fear, I would still be in bondage today. My motto is, "If God is telling you to do something and you are afraid to do it, DO IT AFRAID!"

God wants to set us free from fear. Fear will hold us back from doing the will of God for our lives. Fear will hinder the work that Holy Spirit wants to do in us. Fear will cause us to take ten steps backwards instead of ten steps forward. God wants us moving forward, not backwards. It's time we start walking and running in the right direction.

I've heard it said, there are three hundred and sixty six "fear nots" in the Bible. There is a "fear not" Scripture for everyday of the year and one left over in case you need an extra one. What does that tell us? It tells us, there's not any day in the year that we need to be afraid. God is going to take care of us. He's going to protect us and see that all things work together for our good, because we love Him. We are in His hands. No one can harm us without His permission. No one can pluck us out of His hand.

We can rest in the promises of God. We can claim the "fear not" Scriptures and do all that God is requiring us to do. Face your fears. Don't allow them to hinder what God wants to do in you and through you. Take that step of faith that He is asking you to take. Get out of the boat. God has a bigger boat for you.