The Fear of Failure (Judges 7:11-17)
- Sandra Kelley
- Aug 24, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 2, 2023
Many of us struggle with various types of phobias. A phobia is a fear that hinders us from moving forward. Ophidiophobia: fear of snakes. Arachnophobia: fear of spiders. Acrophobia: fear of heights. Aerophobia: fear of flying. Astraphobia: fear of thunder and lightning. I would like to add another phobia that may or may not be in Webster Dictionary, but it is the underlining fear for most folks who don't even realize it's a fear: "Ophobiaofailure" = the Fear of Failure (I literally made this word up).
In Judges 7:11-17, the Angel of Lord told Gideon that he was chosen to lead the people out of the oppression of the Midianites. But Gideon questioned God's request because his family was the "least" of the Israelites. In other words, Gideon was saying, "Lord, why you chose me to lead the people? My family is the lowest on the totem pole in Israel." One of the reasons why we have the fear of failure is we try to find our significance in what family we belong to or how we are viewed in society. Well, if the Angel of the Lord came down and "sat" by Gideon, even IF the Angel didn't speak a word, I would think that would still validate Gideon's significance. But once again, when we are blinded by the fear of failure, we miss the blessings that God put in front of us. God is so amazing in how He deals with us. He knew Gideon's weakness just like He knows our weakness. No matter how many times Gideon asked God to prove that It was Him who was talking with him, God did exactly what Gideon asked (read the chapter).
How many of you are willing to let go of your fears and move forward in the things of God? There will always be folks in our lives reminding us of our past. There will be challenges that will test our intelligence and our patients. But when you put ALL of your trust in a God who NEVER fails, you will overcome your "Ophobiaofailure." With God, we will ALWAYS win even when it looks like we are losing. (Quote: by Rev. W.R. "Smokie" Norful)
Be blessed my sister!
Written by Sandra Kelley
August 24, 2023
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