There were five soldiers trapped behind enemy lines. One day, the leader of their captors decided to cut a deal with the POW’s. He said, “You have two choices. Either, you can stand on the front line and face the firing squad in the morning, or you can go through that door over there, marked unknown horrors.”
Well, the prisoners looked fearfully at the menacing door, and each one made the exact same decision. They chose to face the firing squad. So, they were all executed the following day.
Afterward, one of the guards asked his leader, “So, what was behind the door?” The captor looked at him, smirked, and said, “Freedom.” Then, as he walked away, he paused briefly. Without ever looking up from the ground, he said, “Isn’t it interesting that people would rather face certain death, than face their fear of the unknown?”
Hmmm . . . I wonder; what would you have chosen? Better yet, what have you chosen?
Have you elected to stick with what you know to avoid taking risks? Or, are you walking out your divine assignment? If, by chance, you’ve settled for dwelling on the safe side, consider this. It makes no sense to stay confined to mediocrity simply because it’s what you know. Stop and ask yourself, “What if the door marked ‘unknown horrors,’ actually leads to a life of wholeness and success?”
When you walk into new situations it often seems that you know the least of everyone. Have you ever felt that way? You feel inadequate, ill-equipped, and under-prepared for the task at hand. You convince yourself that everybody else has access to more training, more opportunities, and more resources than you.
Somehow, they must know something you don’t know, right? Wrong. They don’t. How do I know? Because I am “they.” What do I mean? I’m a woman in business and in ministry. I’m a wife and a mom. I’m an everyday woman just like you. And I don’t always have all the answers.
I have moments of uncertainty when I’m not sure what God is doing. However, there’s one thing I stand on; that is, God’s faithfulness. He’s never let me down. He’s opened amazing doors for me that I could never have imagined. I can personally tell you that if you trust Him and follow His leading, He’ll make provision for you at every turn.
You know the saying, “Whom He calls, He equips.” I know for myself, He’ll teach you whatever it is you need to know. Don’t you dare allow anyone to tell you what you can’t do. Don’t let anybody discourage you along your journey. You can do all things through Christ.
He has seasoned you, tested you, tried you, pruned you, prepared you, and positioned you for this time and place. He knew you would be where you are. He knew you would be facing what you’re facing right now. He knew every decision you would have to make. This has not taken Him by surprise. He preordained that you would triumph over every tragedy and rule over every force that would come against you.
You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! He handpicked you to be One of His. You have to know who you are in Him. “Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:30 NKJV).
I know you sometimes feel that the odds are stacked against you and that things will never turn in your favor. But here’s the point you’re missing. God is for you. Everything you have right now, He gave it to you. Even though you may not have all the things you want, look how far He’s brought you. He brought you through storms that you thought you would never survive.
Do you really believe He would let you drown under all of life’s pressures? No! That’s not the kind of God we serve. He is faithful to see you through every test and trial. Now I’m not saying that everyday will be easy, because it won’t. I’m not saying that you won’t ever feel like giving up, because you will. So, what am I saying? When storms come, don’t fret. You won’t be overtaken.
When the uncertainty that accompanies life’s trials comes knocking at your door, here’s what you do: “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV).
Remember, you don't have to fear "not knowing" when you serve an "all-knowing" God. He's got your future in His hands.
Want to break free from fear of the unknown? Then, start trusting in the all-knowing One. Believe in His sovereignty and stand firm in your faith. Refuse to waver and continually declare that, “God will take care of me.”
Until next time . . . may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
