Fear

In younger days….I operated with little fear and a lot of arrogance. The older I have gotten the more fear has been a part of my life and has even at times been debilitating. I used to rider my motorcycle with restless abandon. I didn’t worry about making a living. I could jump from a cliff at a rock quarry into the water (I’m scared of heights but I did it). But now “fear” is more of an unwelcome guest camping out in the living room. Perhaps some might call this intrusion wisdom. We all learn the possible consequences of life and how foolish decisions and even good decisions can jump up and bite you.

Fear never ruled me until…let’s just say it grabbed hold of me. Fear is about fear of failure. Fear is being paralyzed to inaction. Fear is not being afraid of the dark as much as it creates the darkness that disables us from seeing our way. A horror flick is not fear, but only a place where we let the demon “fear” come out and crush our confidence, diminish our good, and push us to ignore the challenges. We become benign.

At a friend’s house a couple of years ago, Barbie and I watched the movie “Facing the Giants.” The theme song of that movie was “the Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns. Something clicked inside me that night. I went out and bought the CD by Casting Crowns and I still play it on a regular basis. My slogan became “I will not live in fear”. That’s how Barbie and I ended up in Greenville. We were safe where we were, but not where we needed to be. I jumped into my business after getting my Series 65 license. I jumped in with both feet and my wallet. I would like to say I have defeated fear, but even now I fear that I won’t make it. But God has always been faithful to provide. Below are the words to the song “The Voice of Truth”. The words are talking about Peter getting out of the boat and walking on the water toward Jesus and David and his sling and 5 rocks against a 9 foot giant.

Oh what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I’m in
Unto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus lives
And He’s holding hold his hand

But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I’ve tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again, “Oh, you’ll never win.”
“you’ll never win.”

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says “Do not be afraid!”
The voice of truth says, “this is for my glory.”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

OH, what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in the armor
Wishing they’d had the strength to stand

But the giant’s calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again, “Oh you’ll never win!”
“you’ll never win!”

But the voice of truth tells me a different story….

you get the idea. I started not to post this because it is so “personal.” But I don’t think I’m the only one. I will not be ruled by fear… and I will living trusting God.

Jesus and Napolean Hill

I am reading Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich. Hill says "fix in your mind the exact amount of money you desire." Certainly setting goals is a part of business, but when does one step over the line given to us by Jesus in the Sermon. Napoleon Hill says "only those who become 'money conscious' ever accumulate great riches. 'Money consciousness' means that the mind has become so thoroughly saturated with the desire for money, that one can see one's self already in possession of it." See the dilemma ---positive thinking, yet the giving of oneself so completely to the idea of success that treasures on earth become the focus. Jesus said, "You cannot serve both God and money….Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." Hmmm (Matthew 6:24, 33)

Jesus tells us not to desire to store up for myself treasures on earth, but in heaven…Hmm…where my treasure is, there my heart will be also. (Matthew 19-21) In another place, Jesus said that it was easier for a camel to go through a small gate than for a rich man to go to heaven…. So I need to be positive…I need to set my goals…I need to work hard…but how does a businessman keep the balance. I believe it can be done in two ways.

FIRST, SET A LIFESTYLE CAP, or set a limit to the income you will take from your business to spend on yourself. Now most people have income limits that are imposted by salaries. The danger of those in the salary group is getting caught up in a consumptive lifestyle supported with credit cards, not realizing that they are storing up treasures on earth with their attitudes and buying habits. They like to point these words of Jesus at the guy who makes a million. The lifestyle cap can be applied whether you are salaried or commission. A lifestyle cap can keep my life in balance.

The second way to keep balance whether salaried or making hundreds of thousands is to "store up for yourself treasures in heaven." After your lifestyle cap has been reached or some limit established, take the amount above it and use it for good deeds. In I Timothy 6:18, 19, Paul commands the rich to "be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold the life that is truly life." Jesus told the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:21 "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me." See also Luke 16:9 for an interesting additional thought.

Choosing the extra vacation trip, the second vacation home, the new BMW, the extra nice restaurants are too easy to justify if we don't decide what the limits are before. I know me and I think most of you are like me….greed and pride cloud judgment and that is why "the rich" have to get on their knees to go through the gate.