Excuses for not going? I hear them all the time in my role as Director of Mobilization for Crossworld. In spite of valid fears, the unreached people of the world are too important to let anything keep you from going to them. Let’s look at four of these common fears and how to overcome them.

Fear #2: The Fear of Fear

“I’m just so fearful; I even fear ‘fear’ itself!”

Whether it is the fear of bugs, the fear of having to eat something nasty, the fear of flying, the fear of the unknown, the fear of suffering, or the fear of dying, fear is one of the most common excuses for not going as a disciple-maker to the least-reached. Fear has the potential to render us powerless! Here are two solutions to help you face your fear of fears.

Start Reading

1. Read God’s Word to be transformed.
   I know … this is the Sunday school answer. Or is it? Are the promises of His Word not for today? Is the God of the Bible worth our trust only here in the West and not to the ends of the earth? Is the hand of the Father so short that it cannot extend past the boarders of my “safe world”?

• Is…”Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” not promised to those who go to the nations? (Matthew 28:20)
• Is…”Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me” not true for those who lay down their lives? (Psalm 23:4)
• Is…”For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power” not applicable for whatever we face? (2 Timothy 1:7)

2. Read missionary biographies to be challenged.
   Nothing we face today is new to the world of missions. Sure, our fears may have a different face, but the roots are the same as fears faced by those who have gone before — those of whom the world was not worthy (Hebrews 11:38). Pick up these biographies to start:

• • Out of the Jaws of the Lion
  • Lives Given, Not Taken
  • To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson
  • In the Presence of My Enemies
  • Evidence Not Seen: A Women’s Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II
  • William Carey: Father of Modern Missions
  • Gladys Aywald: The Little Woman
  • A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael

Start Walking

1. Walk in faith — just take the next step!
   Shortly after my heart attack in 2009, I was flying to Philadelphia when the plane encountered turbulence like I had never experienced. Fear stuck my already-taxed heart, and I thought to myself, Oh, no, what if…. Immediately a verse came to mind: “For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8). We all have heard that to overcome our fears we must face them. And we do not walk forward in our own strength — we walk forward by faith in a God who is sovereign! A God who has proven Himself faithful in life and in death. He alone makes us dwell in safety no matter the geographical location of life … even 35,000 feet above the earth.
2. Walk with a missions mobilizer.
   Ralph Winter, former general director of the Frontier Mission Fellowship, once said, “Only about one out of 100 missionary decisions results in actual career mission service.” One out of 100 is bad odds for the person who has yet to hear Jesus’ name. Increase those odds by walking with someone who has gone before you … and made it! Ask a Crossworld mobilizer to come alongside you to encourage, mentor and help you get out of the boat and face your fears. Connect with a coach.

The fear of fears should never keep a follower of Christ from going to the nations! No more should the words, “I’m just so fearful” come out of your mouth. It’s time to conquer this fear and see God’s glory shine among the nations!

Read the series
Part 1: The Fear of Funding
Part 2: The Fear of Fear
Part 3: The Fear of Family
Part 4: The Fear of Failure

Mark Silvers served with Crossworld in the Philippines for 10 years and joined the home office staff as Director of Mobilization in 2009. Mark’s driving passion is the goal of reaching the the 2.9 billion people in the world today with no access to the gospel. Reply to Mark.