Fear and Arrogance

"You are ready to fly on your own," my flight instructor said as he told me to land. He proceeded to get out of the plane and told me to take off again. My heart raced. Terror struck. My confidence was no where to be found. What was I doing? Had I made a huge error in thinking that during college I wanted acquire a private pilot's license? Praying all the way, I flew the plane -- a successful solo flight. However, when recounting the story to friends and family, you would have thought I was Charles Lindberg -- such arrogance!

Anxiety and fear are often hidden under a veneer of pride and arrogance. Looking closely around us, we can see it evidenced in a variety of situations.

• Perhaps in a business man or business woman on the verge of financial collapse, speaking boldly of impending success.
• Perhaps in a student speaking with fake confidence, when disciplined study is absent.
• Perhaps in a doctor's confident diagnosis, while a question still lingers in his mind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. All degrees of fear masquerading as confidence.

Jesus' disciples often exhibited that same spirit -anxious at one moment but confident and daring the next. Jesus patiently taught them a different way, one filled with humble passion and confident peace. Whether his disciples were rowing on a stormy sea or witnessing the feeding of thousands, Jesus continually taught them Christ-like attitudes and actions.

This week, as Christ followers, let us examine our lives - at times filled with confusion, failure and fear and at other times filled with confidence, success and pride. Let us be known for our humble passion to serve Him and confident peace in those challenging moments of life. When living out Jesus' principles in our daily lives, there is no room for fear or arrogance.

"Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared." (Proverbs 3:25-26 NIV)

Sharing the journey with you,