#FEARLESS365 is a yearlong study of God’s commandment to us to live without fear. For 365 days, we will focus on one scripture and volunteers from all over the world will share their personal thoughts and what God has shared with them on the specific verse. For more info… go here.

I lay down and slept;
         I awoke, for the LORD sustains me.

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
         Who have set themselves against me round about.

Psalm 3:5-6

Persevering through the difficult times in life takes determination. It takes discipline. It would be far easier to lay in bed, safe in the cozy comfort of blankets and pillows, but what would that accomplish? Still, rising from slumber when there is a world outside that door waiting to pounce is unpleasant to say the least. That’s why alarms have a snooze feature. We think a few more moments hiding from the day’s challenges will somehow better prepare us to face the trials that are waiting when we push the covers off. Sometimes the trials are not bad. On the contrary, they may be beneficial.

You could look at that part of the verse, “I wake again, because the Lord sustains me,” as saying, “Can’t I sleep a while longer? I don’t want to go. Well, okay, but I’m only doing this because God made me.” Somewhere in the process of awakening, we realize that those things we fear are not that scary after all. At least they aren’t that scary when we realize that God is on our side. We push off the covers, stumble to the kitchen or the bathroom, and prepare to face another day.

The Lord wants us to grow and the only way we grow is facing the challenge head on. We can’t be afraid of the attack. Fear will not protect us from the onslaught. It leaves us unprepared to fight when the battle is upon us. Hiding from the things we fear only empowers the fear and makes it much larger. The height is not the thing that can kill you, it’s the fall; but the view from the mountain top is breathtaking. It makes the perceived danger fade from view because you conquered the fear that kept you from seeing all that God had intended you to see.

It takes discipline, determination, and perseverance to face the day knowing that you are surrounded by things that in the natural send shivers down your spine. Whether you are afraid of the dark or you truly face a situation where your life is in danger, staying in bed to avoid facing the situation will never lead to victory; that places you in greater danger. The darkness, the spider, the workout, whatever you are hiding from will still be there and you will be less prepared to face it. God is awakening you to prepare you for the journey ahead. It’s time to wake up!

Toby James Swager is an Author/Director of Community Non-Profit who lives in Nashville, TN. He serves with a disaster relief organization and travel the USA in response to disasters, helping people to cope with the loss and go through their belongings to help them find stability in an unstable time.