Day 6 | Overcoming Fear

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith...”

Pastor Charlie pointed out that one way sloth manifests in our lives is through fear. We can be "hijacked by fear," making irrational excuses to avoid doing what we know we should. The sluggard in Proverbs claims there's a lion in the street to avoid leaving his house. While this excuse seems comical, we often do the same thing spiritually.

Peter gives us a sobering reminder that there is indeed a "lion" to be wary of - the devil himself. However, unlike the sluggard's irrational fear, this is a real spiritual threat we need to take seriously. Satan looks for opportunities to exploit our weaknesses, including our tendency towards spiritual sloth.

The good news is that we're not powerless against this threat. Peter instructs us to "resist him, standing firm in the faith." This resistance isn't passive; it requires active engagement with our faith. But we have to understand that acedia would be happy if we were passive.

"Standing Firm" means choosing to trust God and move forward in obedience, even when we're tempted to retreat in fear.

Fear often holds us back from fully committing to what God is calling us to do. We might fear failure, rejection, or the unknown. We might fear what following Christ might cost us in terms of comfort, relationships, or worldly success. But giving in to these fears is a form of sloth because it ends up being a resistance to the transformative work God wants to do in and through us.

Overcoming fear requires us to focus on God's promises and His character. We need to remember that while following Christ may come with challenges, He promises us a life of purpose, joy, and eternal significance. As we step out in faith, resisting the temptation to retreat in fear, we'll find that God is faithful to equip and empower us for whatever He calls us to do.

Ask yourself the following questions:

What fears are holding me back from fully engaging in what God is calling me to do?

How have I seen God's faithfulness in past situations where I've stepped out in faith despite fear?

What promise of God do I need to hold onto to help me resist fear and sloth in my current situation?

Prayer:

Lord, I confess that often I let fear hold me back from fully following You. Thank You for the reminder that while there are real spiritual threats, You are greater than anything I face. Help me to stand firm in faith, resisting the enemy's attempts to paralyze me with fear. Give me courage to step out in obedience, trusting in Your faithfulness and power. In Jesus' name, Amen.