When doubt comes into our presence rely on the Grace of God / Doubt leads to fear and fear leads to failure

When doubt comes into our presence rely on the Grace of God

Doubt leads to fear and fear leads to failure.

As each day begins we should seek the presence of God within our own being to accomplish his will.  We are simply like sheep wandering through this worldly existence where the urging of others who have no understanding of God will try to lead us and both of us fall into a hole.

The apostles always had doubts until they were urged by Jesus to pick up their cross and follow him through suffering and overcoming the fears that confronted them.  Paul told those in Corinth, “For the love of Christ impels us, once we have come to the conviction that one died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”  (2 Cor. 5: 14 - 15).

“On the evening of the first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for the fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  When he said this, he showed them his hands and his side.  The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit.  Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”  (Jn. 20: 19 - 23).  

Who of us is called to extend the belief of what Christ taught us, to others who either have not heard or those who have heard and no longer believe.  This is the command that Christ is sending each of us to evangelize the world around us and even beyond.    

To  those within earshot of the word we preach we can reach with the Word of God in so many ways.  They can be neighbors, workplace recipients, and even family members who are slipping in their faith.  There also will be others who are away from personal contact and those of us who write are able to open their minds via our writing.  

Remember the parable of the talents where a certain man was going on a journey and entrusted his servants with different amounts of his money.  “To one he gave five talents; to another, two, and to a third, one; to each according to his ability.  Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five.  Likewise the one who received two 

Made another two.  But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.  After a long time the master returned and settled accounts with each of his servants.  Those who received five and two respectively brought in their investments pleasing to their master.  But, the man who buried the master’s money said he was afraid and handed back what was given to him to invest.  (see Mt. 25: 14 ff).  

This story is significant with those of us who are gifted in small ways as well as the ability to reach waiting ears that hunger for God’s word.  The amount of giftedness each of us has in no matters in its ability; we are mandated by the Holy Spirit to reach out through the word, spoken or in print.   Doubt leads to fear and fear leads to failure. 

Ralph B. Hathaway