Who Told You That Were Naked?

What dream or vision or mission have I aborted because of fear? Before I got married, my doctor told me that I would probably have trouble having children. Based on my medical history, she said that it was a high probability. That planted a terrible seed of fear in me that I would not be able to conceive. Though it turned out to be untrue, that fear was always nagging in the back of my mind. I could have allowed that fear to stop me from even trying to have children. 

I also think of a woman who has had miscarriages and then has several beautiful, perfect children. If she had allowed the miscarriages to rescind her dream of children, if she had allowed the fear of another miscarriage, she would not have birthed the children she has now. 

If I allow fear of failure, fear of what others may think, fear of what I may have to give up, or fear that people will just not understand me - what purpose do I abort? What do I miss when I am immobile because of fear?

Think back to Adam and Eve in the Bible after they sinned and hid from God. When they told God they were hiding because they were naked and afraid, God asked them "Who told you that you were naked?" (Genesis 3:8-11). I think of my own life when fear has told me that I was naked and I allowed it to stop me from fulfilling my purpose. When we think of what it means to be naked, we automatically think about not having clothing, but it can also mean lacking confirmation or support, unarmed and defenseless. Many times in my life, I've allowed the idea that I was naked to tie my hands and my tongue. I feared I would be embarrassed because I thought I was naked and vulnerable. 

It's kind of like the nightmare you have of being in a public place (take high school for example) and you're naked and can't find your clothes. It's absurd that this would really happen (unless you are the victim of a cruel prank), but it's the fear that it would happen that makes this dream so vivid. The feeling of vulnerability and embarrassment stays with you even when you wake up.

Who told me that I couldn't do the calling that God has placed in my heart? Who told me that I didn't have anything important to say or that I couldn't do anything that truly mattered? Who did I covenant with who supported and financed my aborted dream? 

Fear. 

Oh God, forgive me for covenanting with fear. 

"There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love." 1 John 1:18 (MSG) 

Satan specializes in aborted vision. God is the bringer of life, not death. God is not a man that He could lie. If God placed the dream in my heart, even when it seems impossible, He can fulfill that in me and through me.

"Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]--blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he." Proverbs 29:18 (AMP)

God will not leave us naked in the desert of impossibility. He will clothe us will His presence and bring us to the place we desire because He placed that desire in us in the first place. He will always clothe us with His provision. 

It's time to trust God when we feel naked and alone. It's time to believe what He says over what any person might say or has said. It's time to believe in the vision God has given us and not listen to voice of the enemy who tells us we are naked. God has not left us unarmed, defenseless, or without support.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)