Living Fearlessly

 “You are my servant; I have chosen you.” Isa 41:9 NIV

Have you ever wondered how animal trainers can control a five-ton elephant and keep it from running away? They do it by controlling the animal’s thinking. When a baby elephant is being trained, a rope is put around its leg and then tied to a wooden post secured in the ground. The elephant, which is not yet very strong, pulls at the rope but is unable to break it or to pull up the post. Eventually it gives up. From that point forward when the elephant’s leg is secured it believes it cannot get away—even though it is fully capable of escaping, and has been for a long time. It remembers its struggle. That’s one reason it’s said, “Elephants never forget.” And we are like that too. Our thinking limits us, just as an elephant’s does. Usually it’s because of fear. The truth is, fear can steal your dreams. You may be afraid of failure. You may be afraid of rejection. You may not want to make a fool of yourself. You may be afraid of trying because you believe you can’t succeed. If you give in to these thoughts and believe that you can’t achieve your dream, you’ll be right—and therefore unable to achieve your dream. Often what we fear has no connection to reality. But here’s the good news: fear can be overcome. The first step to overcoming it is to believe God when He says about you: “You are my servant; I have chosen you…do not fear, for I am with you…I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (vv. 9-10 NIV).