After listening to Rosie Farley’s recent multiplex talk on Amy Carmichael, a British missionary to India from 1895-1951, I decided I needed to know more about this amazing woman. Whilst reading, I came across this meditation from her book: “Edges of His Ways” (slightly abridged):
Have you ever thought how infectious fear is? It spreads quickly from one person to another. You can refuse the spirit of fear, which never comes to us from God. (And if He doesn’t send it to us, who does?) Instead, open your heart wide to the Spirit of “power, love and a calm and well-balanced mind, and discipline and control.” 2 Tim 1:7 Amplified.
Because fear is so infectious, let us, for the sake of others and ourselves, refuse it.
Thank God courage is as infectious as discouragement. Haven’t you felt the strength and cheer that flow from a person whose mind is fixed and firm on God? I have.
Whenever we are downhearted or fearful, we are saying to everybody, “After all, the Lord can’t be absolutely trusted”. But we have a Saviour who has never once failed us, and never will fail us. He has loved and led and guarded us all these years.
Look to Him now and pray:
My Father, I have this habit of fear. Sometimes I let my fear “exempt” me from doing what you have asked me to do. You say:
“Speak My word to this one…” (“But Lord, I’m afraid he’ll think…”)
“Contribute to this effort…” (“But what if I won’t have enough…?”)
Lord, help me to cross the battle-line of fear that is drawn across the ground of my soul. You are for me and nothing can stand against me!”
Written by Catherine Frost
Gateway Church Ashford, is a church in Ashford, Kent, and is part of the New Frontiers movement and within the Catalyst Network sphere.