When we started to think about moving to Senegal, there were some minor fears that surrounded our decisions: how will we survive without our grocery stores, will we be able to actually speak French when we are in Senegal, will we be able to become world-class barters when trying to buy things in the markets?

Since being appointed as missionaries, different fears have crept in. Fears of failure, letting the growing number of ministry supporters down, no one supporting our ministry, completely stalling out on fundraising when we reach the 50 or 60% mark, etc. These are the dangerous fears. These are the fears that make me want to act like Abraham and begin making compromises:

As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.” (Genesis 12:11-13)

I am probably not going to go around telling everyone that Michele is my sister, but like Abraham, my fears continue to tell me I need to act. They say “stop trusting in God, trust in only myself.” They push me into a dangerous place of making bad decisions.

How do I overcome these fears? How do I not let them affect my decisions and character? By trusting and understanding God’s and Jesus’ unlimited strength and incomprehensible love for me:

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:16-18 & 20)

May we all have a better understanding of this truth, allowing us to more fully trust in the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.