Fear Fighters

Fear Fighters

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic.

I have become convinced that fear is the one thing that really has a power to destroy
everything. It is the one weapon the enemy uses to infect us with a self-destructive force
that not only has the capacity to destroy us but others as well. You can’t see it, or
diagnose it , however the results are obvious. It truly attaches itself in ways that gives
life to our delusions, and the worst of ourselves.


Back when I was in High School, I got the opportunity to start at quarterback as a sophomore, due to injuries to our starting and second string players. The first two games were ok, but by the third game, we had been decimated by injuries and were piece milling our team together. By halftime I had been sacked five times, thrown two interceptions and was quite shell-shocked to put it mildly. It was in that moment that I was overcome with great clarity. The message to my heart was “you are gonna get hit, no matter what you do. Therefore, you can focus on making plays and advancing the ball with a chance of success or you can focus on the pressure and guarantee failure.” It was in that moment that everything changed. No, we did not go out and make a miracle comeback...we still lost and I think I even threw another interception. However, my heart had shifted and it was a shift that benefitted me the rest of my career. Never again did I fear the pressure closing in on me, I learned to take it simply for what it was...a part of the game.

For some reason, the lessons we learn in sports don’t transfer so readily to our lives outside the stadium walls. Instead of accepting trials, tribulations and heartaches as part of life, we see them as enemies to run from in fear and terror. I can attest that I am chief among those that have looked at comfort and “pleasantville” as the goal of a well- lived life. In my head I knew this not to be reality, however in my heart I longed for peace, quiet, joy and a life where I was able to handle any problem with certainty and ease. I am here to attest...that is a crafty well-played lie from our enemy. You cannot enter the stadium of life and guarantee success, there are always heartaches, there are always trials, disasters, hurts, loneliness, despair...yet for those who can turn away from the fear of those realities and embrace the love, forgiveness and joy of Christ; the game becomes worth playing. It is then and only then that you can honestly embrace your life and this very moment as good.

This is the first of a series of thoughts and writings from The Outpost...I hope this hasgiven you a moment to ponder and seek your Father that loves you.