Mike helped me ride a Harley. Ron taught me how to handle a gun. Bryan invited me to preach in front of—gulp—a thousand people. We need others to invite us into our fears with faith in the Lord.

Remember going to the amusement park and seeing a ride that looks fun but also seems scary? So you wait while your friends go on the ride. They have a blast and run back to you, “Let’s go. Come with us!” You’re still scared but you follow them, go on the ride, and it’s awesome! You’re enjoying freedom from fear because your friends led you instead of fear leading you. With their help, you led your fears. 

Paul and his friends did this for other Christians. He wrote, “You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

Do you see what happened here? Paul and friends had suffered persecution, and these other Christians were now suffering it too. Not with fear but with joy!

Find a mentor now. Connect with someone who can show you the way, open up the message of Scripture, and serve as an agent of the Holy Spirit.

Dear God, you gave Paul and the apostles to other Christians. Direct me to Christian models and mentors who can help me through my fears. And help me also help others. Amen.