John Trent, Ph.D. and president of The Center for Strong Families, wrote an interesting article in the Christian Counseling Connection (a publication of the American Association of Christian Counselors) entitled, "Why We 'Put Off' Being Positive". Here's an excerpt:
"In the state of New Jersey, like everywhere else across the country, the cost of gasoline has gone up and up. It seems that in 2006, in the face of soaring prices, the governor tried to implement a policy that experts calculated would drop the price of gasoline five to 10 cent per gallon immediately. There could be huge savings statewide if they would just make that small change, but even the suggestion brought a huge outcry. In fact, the governor's office retreated on making this change after being swamped with more than 1,400 e-mails and calls that poured in from an outraged public! (That was five times the "outrage e-mails" they received regarding anything else the governor had proposed.)
"What fired up the people so much that they shouted down making such a small change? The governor had suggested that people be allowed to pump their own gas! But in New Jersey, motorists haven't pumped their own gas for 57 years. Cries came that people would put the gas in the wrong hole...that the elderly couldn't do it and would harm themselves... and that gas stations would be blowing up all over the state from smokers filling their tanks!"
John Trent goes on with this question:
"Have your fears in these difficult times cause you to slow down, stopped you from moving forward, or caused you to question your faith no just in a positive future, but in the God of the future?"
I ask that same question of you. Are you living in such fear you are unable to continue learning and growing in your ministry and in your own personal faith in God? Have you stopped reading books on how to serve people better? Have you stopped seeking for God to grow your faith?
Step over your fear. Lock eyes with God. Resolve to start "pumping your own gas" and continue Serving Strong!
Good post Scott. I was just reading in "Souvenirs of Solitude" by Brennan Manning yesterday the following: "Each of us pays a heavy price for our fear of falling flat on our faces. It assures the progressive narrowing of our personalities and prevents exploration and experimentation. As we get older we do only the things we do well. There is no growth in Christ Jesus without some difficulty or fumbling... The Christian with depth is the person who has failed and learned to live with his failure."
Hopefully we don't blow up any gas stations along the way!
Posted by: Vic Flaming | December 02, 2009 at 08:14 AM
Getting over fear to enjoy the adventure of exploration and experimentation is a goal of mine. And I am certainly able to excel at fumbling :)
Thanks for sharing. I love what God is saying through Brennan Manning's stuff.
Posted by: Scott Couchenour | December 02, 2009 at 08:50 AM