The Start of Fear Week

These last seven days in October seem like a good week to address the topic of fear. So, join in for Bess’ Bag’s Fear Week! If you dare…


Can you imagine what it would be like to live in a place where going to church meant meeting secretly in someone’s home; where Bibles had to be smuggled as if they were horrible drugs; & wearing the name Christian coincided with danger? Perhaps you do know, because you live in one of these places. Know we – your sisters & brothers in Christ all over the globe – are praying for you. Stand fast & firm, confident in Christ & who He is: Savior, Redeemer, & giver of life eternal.


Many of you, like me, don’t reside in one of these areas of persecution. Do you find yourself, as it were, tiptoeing through the tulips…happy with your group of Christian friends & church activities – no need to rock the boat or, gasp, get out of it & walk on the wild waves? It seems it is so easy for us who enjoy the freedom to worship & serve the Lord Jesus Christ to get into a comfortable groove, that is just that, way too comfortable. We adore mediocrity & avoid unwanted confrontation like the plague. We fear telling others about the everlasting Hope within for fear of ridicule, sneering laughter, or what the others will think. We hide our Bibles to avoid offending anyone or any of the other above mentioned risks. It’s interesting that in a land so free we should feel so stingy with our freedom. We should share, show, & yes, live out our relationship with God at every opportunity. What stops us? Fear. A small four letter word stops us in our tracks.


I wonder about all my sisters & brothers who live in areas of Christian persecution. They face all of the above mentioned fears that we face when stepping out to share God’s Word, but not only that, they face beatings, torture, imprisonment, threats/attacks upon their family, & even death. I wonder if some of us mediocre, tiptoeing-through-the-tulips Christians were transported to these lands if our faith would stand firm. Would we stand up for Christ then, in the face of so much danger, when we can’t stand up for Him in the place of so much freedom? It’s interesting to think about, & it’s even more interesting to stop thinking & start doing… Doing “the thing we think we cannot do” as Eleanor Roosevelt said. Here’s what God says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men [& women=] of courage; be strong.” -1 Corinthians 16:13. So, fear or no fear, let’s get out of this boat & proclaim the Good News! Lost & lonely people, with their eternity on the line, are searching!

I heard one Christian missionary from a poor persecuted country say, after visiting the USA for a few weeks, that he was ready to go back to his home...quickly...because he said that it was becoming too comfortable here.  In his homeland he had to rely on his faith to sustain him & get him through.  He said it was too easy to forget that here where there was so much.  We must be careful to not get too comfortable on this journey.   


I hope you’ll enjoy this film, based on true events & presented by Voice of the Martyrs (a special organization which supports & assists persecuted Christians around the world – visit them HERE). It’s low budget, not fancy pants, but it’s good. Without further ado: Agent Abbey…








I encourage you to be brave & obey those silent nudgings to go & speak to someone or do something for someone in Jesus’ name, to pray & read your Bible in public places. I have truly struggled with this myself, so I’m just as much (perhaps more=) seeking to encourage myself to be bold about the love of Jesus in me. Let’s do these scary things knowing we are pleasing the One who gave His life for us!

Love & Fear Abolishing,
-Bess-


P.S.: Please pray for Pastor Youcef Nardarkhani & his family. Pastor Youcef, a Christian in Iran, has been said to be sentenced to death because he stands up for his faith. He is a strong example of standing for Christ amidst great persecution…even unto death.


“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt

"The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?"
-Psalm 118:6