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The Fear of Failure

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
“Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
“And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. “But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.
“After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“Then he who had received the one talent came and said,
‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ‘And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground.
Look, there you have what is yours.’
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
‘So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers,
and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
‘Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
‘And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness.
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Matthew 25:14-30

In this column I want to consider ‘The Fear of Failure’!

For many of you this will be a deeply moving experience because it is the story of your life. Your past and even your presence is filled with memories of ‘what might have been’, what if I had’¦ but fear of failure has gripped you and bound you. Many people see you as a success but in your heart you know you have failed because you were not willing to break out of your comfort zone to dare to be bold in your life and calling.

Of all the sad stories I have ever heard many involve a person being afraid and hiding their talent, or gift or calling or anointing!

There have been a number of defining moments in my life where I was faced with a great decision. The outcome of that decision would be profound. Everything said no but deep within my soul and spirit I knew I could live with the possible ‘failure’ but I also knew that I could not live within myself should I not ‘try’ and press forward and not give into the fear seeking to grip me. I knew that not trying would eat my fire up and that I just could not live with the knowledge that I had not tried and attempted to do that which I knew I should attempt.

Time and again I have faced challenges that seem far beyond my ability or experience or knowledge yet I have pressed forward and not buried my talent or anointing but rested in the Power and Will of God. Jesus has used me and raised be far beyond my skill simply because of obedience and total dependence on Him and His sovereign will.

I had rather fail trying to use my talent than fail hiding my talent. I had rather burn out than rust out! Glory.

Fear will rob you of the Power of God and strip you of Holy Spirit passion.

Let what Jesus has put in you be released in your life. Don’t underestimate the call of God. Rise up and you will find that Jesus will increase your anointing and meet every need on your journey of following Jesus.

Should you still doubt then look at the result of being afraid and hiding your talent or anointing. Read the scripture again and give your life fully to the will and call of Jesus.

Remember Jesus will be with you on your journey and reward you in the end. Glory!

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,

Arthur and Denise Blessitt

Luke 18:1