Fear is a great motivator.  Some of the greatest athletes in history were motivated by a fear of failure and of letting people down.

Fear, when channeled, can be something that pushes us and drives us and causes us to achieve a goal or do something great. Fear, when channeled and used for good, can be a great motivator.

But, for many of us, that is not the role that fear plays in our lives.  Instead of motivating us, fear can cripple us.  Instead of driving us, fear can break us.  Instead of pushing us down the road, fear can stop us from moving.

For many of us today, we live our lives out of fear. And we don’t like the results. We live in fear of the past.

Of the future.

Of the present.

Of the known.

Of the unknown.

Of what we can control.

Of what we can’t.

For many of us today, we live a life that is dominated by fear.  Listen to what happens to the disciples in John 20 today:

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.

They were hiding behind these locked doors because they were afraid. They were hiding away from people because they were fearful.

And Jesus comes to them and says – Don’t hide. Go. Don’t stay locked up here. Go.  Go out. Be faithful.  Preach, teach, love. Don’t stay locked up in fear.

Go.

How can they go when they are afraid?  He is with them. And He will give peace.  No matter what. No matter what they face. He will give peace.

Today, don’t stay locked up in fear.  Don’t stay afraid.  No matter what you are facing God is with you.  No matter what you are up against, God is with you.  No matter what fear wells up in your soul, God is with you.

Today, do not be afraid. God is with you.

You have nothing to fear.