By Jeff Roman
Isaiah 41:10"So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
As outdoorsman and adventurers of the great outdoors sometimes we have to put our fear aside. Not that many of us will do this but know it's on a few peoples bucket list. Hunting bear! Hunting bear is going to have to take an enormous amount of courage to do. Most of us are not going to be hunting bear or heading to Africa on a wild adventures safari of some kind. Not saying that some of you haven't already done this but is just not an everyday feat we are all capable of undertaking. Most of us are getting up every day and our passion or joy is expressed in either duck hunting, deer hunting or chasing down that elusive black bass. These are all more in the realm of our adventure zone.
Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you."
In most of our outdoor activity especially if you are seasoned at it, fear does not usually come into your mind very often. Usually the only fear you have is if you were to miss out on a day of being out. But there are times when we do have to be thinking and a little fear creeps in. Days when maybe the weather is a little unfavorable and it is pouring down rain and muddy and it becomes very difficult to be on foot. Maybe some fear sneaks in that we have to be a little extra cautious so that we make it back safely to the campsite or our truck so we can make it safely home. And there are days when we are rumbling up river on that morning chasing those bass all around looking for that next limit when the wind picks up and there becomes a three foot chop on the water, a little fear creeps in our heads and tells us we need to be a little more careful and watch our driving so we get back to the boat ramp safely. Fear is always in the back of our mind but it does not control us.
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind."
We know as outdoormen if we want to further our adventures in the outdoors and become better at the hobby we have chosen sometimes we have to live by these words "do not be afraid." The only way we are going to get better and fully enjoy the outdoors is to learn more about them and take the next leap of faith that lets us learn more and become better adaptable chasing quarry of our choice. We can not be afraid to take that next step to become better hunters, fishermen, rock climbers, hikers,whatever we happen to be doing in the outdoors. To advance we have to put that fear aside. And then learn and grow.
Psalm 94:19 "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."
Just like in our spiritual lives. And in our lives we are trying to live for Jesus Christ. We have to become more like Christ. We have to listen to His words"do not be afraid." We have to grow in Him and in His truth. We need to spend time listening to his gospel and reading it. Just like in our outdoor activities we can not be afraid, we can not be afraid to learn more about Him and learn more what He can do for us, become more dependent on Him.
1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who FEARS is not made perfect in love."
So-"DO NOT BE AFRAID!"
