Fears And Struggles

 September 29, 2024

Verse of the day - John 16:33 (NRSV)

I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace.  In the world you face persecution.  But take courage; I have conquered the world!

In chapter 3 of my second book, Jesus tells many of us share the same fears and struggles as His disciples did when He walked on earth.

Excerpt from Come Back To Me

Many of My disciples today have the same fears and struggles as My disciples did when I walked on this earth.  Many times, they were afraid to speak up for fear of death.  Back then many people were martyred on My behalf.  In time, My original twelve disciples became bold in proclaiming My Good News.  This did not happen until after My death on the cross and the resurrection from the dead.  After I was convicted and sentenced to death on the cross, My disciples left Me and went into hiding because of fear.  However, John stayed by My side through it all.  After I died, they were together in a room with the windows and doors locked in fear that the Jews would find them and kill them.  Even though the doors were locked, I came and stood in their midst.  This terrified them greatly because they thought they were seeing a ghost.  I assured them that it was Me. I even showed them My hands and My side where they had pierced Me.  My disciples were all gathered for this experience except for Thomas.  After My visit with them, they were overjoyed.

Back in the time of Jesus, the twelve disciples were ordinary people chosen by Jesus, Himself, to carry on His work after He went to the cross and died for our sins.  They had three years of training before they were on their own.  They too, had many doubts and fears about doing the work of Jesus.  Just as the disciples were called to do the work of Jesus after He died on the cross, we have also been called to share the Good News of Salvation with others. We should not allow fear to keep us from doing God's Work.  He will always be with us, and guide us every step of the way.  If we do not know what to say, if we say a prayer to Jesus, He will put the words in our mouth that He desires us to speak on His behalf.