Have you ever felt so overcome by situations or people that when you think about facing them, you are suddenly consumed with fear, insecurity or anxiety?
I remember that I was months away from graduating when I dropped out of college because on the day of thesis defense I failed to accomplish my thesis paper, and I lost all hope to continue. So I stopped pursuing college not realizing I was filled with fear—fear of failure.
For about four to five years, I was just playing along with life until my status as an undergraduate student became a serious stumbling block when I applied for a job. It was then that I surrendered my case to God, and placed my trust in him as I decide to pursue finishing my college degree.
God helps us to overcome through Christ
What I have learned from that experience is that when we are consumed with fear, insecurity or anxiety because of certain things in life, God can use those moments to reveal the truth about ourselves. And the truth is that we have not yet surrendered those certain aspects of our life to God, which is why we feel overcome.
John chapter 8, verse 32 says, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
God wants to free us from the lies we have believed about ourselves, the lies that say we can’t do it, we will always fail and will never overcome difficulties in life.
During the process of continuing my thesis paper, I wanted to give up many times thinking, “What if I fail again?” But Jesus gave me a powerful motivation: the vision of his cross carrying a message that he did not give up for our sake. He endured all sufferings, pain, and even death on the cross because the joy prepared before him was us gaining eternal life through him. It gave me so much courage, joy and strength to do the best I could.
Then it came to pass that I presented my thesis to the whole college department. In the middle of my presentation, one of the most respectable (and terrifying) teachers stood up and stopped my presentation, commending my work as one of the best thesis papers she has seen in years. After five years of running away, I finally graduated and received my diploma because of Christ.
Each one of us has different situations to face in life but this Good News is for all: Jesus Christ has conquered death, and he is very alive right now to help us overcome the world as he has.
“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John chapter 16, verse 33)
You are born to be more than a conqueror through Christ
As believers, our life is not without hardships and struggles. Sometimes, we may even experience more as we serve and follow Christ, challenging our character and faith. God allows certain things to happen in our life, not to destroy us but to transform us to be Christ-like.
I thank God that he had allowed me to experience fear and failure during my college years; otherwise, I would not have realized and witnessed the power and faithfulness of God working best in weaknesses.
I have learned that all things are possible to those who believe and that we are more than conquerors in this world.
All we have to do is to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and choose to believe in God’s word at all times.
Lovely Lao is a Sunday school teacher and is involved in children’s ministry at a local church. She is a passionate lover of God and people, especially children. Jesus is her ultimate joy and excitement in life and she is hungry to know and learn more about him. She is also married to a youth pastor who is a man after God’s heart.
Lovely Lao’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/lovely-salcedo.html