We Don’t Have To Be Afraid.

Ethan Efferson
Aug 26, 2017 · 4 min read

John 14:27 “ “I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

Over the past 2 years, God has called me and my family to full time missions in Juarez, Mexico. He has made the way possible, even when it seemed impossible. This December will be the 2 year mark and when we officially move down there. I am so honored and excited to be a part of what God is doing in Mexico.

One thing that God had to do in my life to prepare me to go was eliminate fear. Juarez was considered the murder capitol of the world a few years back and the drug violence is on the rise again. There is no telling what could happen while we are there ministering to families and children who are living in the most poverty stricken areas. Being a white person means I stick out like a sore thumb. A little bit of fear had crept into my heart about this and God has encouraged me to not be afraid recently. Little by little he filled me with confidence in His promises and in who He is as a Father.

Philippians 1:6 “ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

This is a verse I knew, but I guess I was not confident in it. Fear of failure or death can make you look away from the great promises of God in His word. This promise is special. If God is starting this journey in our lives to be full time missionaries, HE WILL COMPLETE WHATEVER THE TASK IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO. And if He takes me home while I am in Juarez, then He was finished with my work. And that is the same for you in your life in whatever God has for you to do. How amazing and merciful is that!

Habakkuk 3:19 “ The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” The Lord will be your strength and will give you feet to tread the shaky ground you are on. Juarez, Mexico is a very scary place. But I know that God will not only be with me( Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9), but give me strength to go boldly into Juarez and proclaim who He is to the people He has for me to reach. He is sovereign over this calling and journey and he is sovereign over your journey also, even if you don’t quite know what it is yet. Be courageous. He will be your strength.

Matthew 28:20 “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” If there is anything at all to be confident in, it is this: Jesus will be with you and I until the very end of the age. While He has us on this earth, He will not leave us. So while I am in Juarez, He will be with me. If I get kidnapped by the drug cartel, He will be there with me. If everyone else forsakes me and leaves, He will be with me. If all else has failed, and you feel alone on whatever journey you are on, be confident and encouraged that Jesus himself is with you.

Psalms 23:4 “ Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Not only will God be there with me and give me strength to tread the darkest valleys, but He will give me a comfort in the midst of it. Think of it. The God of all comfort will comfort you when you are walking into the darkest places, or when you are walking into the unknown.

Be encouraged, God will finish what He started in your life, and He will not leave you no matter what the path looks like. Trust in Him and walk in obedience, and He will comfort you, whether you are in the darkest valley or the highest peak. You do not have to be afraid on the journey or the unknown, because Christ Himself will be beside you all the way to the end. As God has been eliminating fear in my life and the journey ahead, I pray that He would do the same for you, and that you would walk courageously. Trusting in Him with all of your heart. He will finish what He started in you, and when He is finished He will bring us home into His glory and presence forever.

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Ethan Efferson
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