What steps can we take to overcome fear when following God's call? The Backdrop of Genesis 46:3 “ ‘I am God, the God of your father,’ He said. ‘Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.’ ” Jacob (Israel) stands at a turning point—leaving the land he knows for an unfamiliar Egypt. God meets him at Beersheba to calm his fear and confirm His plan. Why Fear Rises When God Calls • Uncertainty about the future • Potential loss of comfort or security • Awareness of personal weakness • Memories of past failures or disappointments Step-by-Step Ways to Overcome Fear 1. Hear God’s Voice First • Jacob paused at Beersheba to worship (46:1). In that place of worship, God spoke. • Set aside time in Scripture and quiet prayer; fear shrinks when God’s Word grows loud. • Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.” 2. Remember Who God Is • “I am God, the God of your father” (46:3). Identity precedes instruction. • Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you… I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” • Fixing on God’s unchanging character steadies the heart. 3. Recall God’s Track Record • Jacob’s story was already filled with fulfilled promises: Bethel (Genesis 28), Penuel (Genesis 32). • Psalm 77:11 “I will remember the works of the LORD.” • Keep a record of answered prayers and past deliverances; it realigns perspective. 4. Receive the Promise for the Path Ahead • “I will make you into a great nation there.” The promise is location-specific—Egypt, not Canaan. • Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous… the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” • Ask: What promise has God tied to this particular step of obedience? (Note it; return to it often.) 5. Obey Immediately • Jacob “departed from Beersheba” (46:5) right after hearing God’s word. • Delayed obedience gives fear time to grow. • James 1:22 “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” 6. Walk in Community • Jacob took “his sons and grandsons… his daughters and granddaughters” (46:5-7). • Hebrews 10:24-25 calls believers to mutual encouragement—especially when the path feels risky. 7. Lean on the Spirit’s Power • 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” • Pray Scripture aloud; let truth overwrite anxious thoughts. 8. Keep Eternity in View • Romans 8:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?” • Egypt was a temporary assignment; God’s covenant purposes spanned generations. • Fear fades when we measure the moment against God’s eternal plan. Practical Takeaways for Today • Start each new venture with worship, inviting God to speak. • Write down the specific promise God highlights from His Word. • Act on the last clear direction He gave; clarity often follows motion. • Share the journey with trusted believers who will remind you of truth. • Replace fearful self-talk with spoken Scripture; let God’s Word be the loudest voice. |
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