Fear not! Be bold!

Did you know you can smell fear? Research suggests that there is a chemical reaction when

people exhibit great fear. When we have great fear, a pheromone is released through our sweat,

which gives off a specific odor.

My first night of bootcamp, you go through and get equipment, change out of your civilian

clothes and put on the uniform, get a haircut and go to the barracks for the first time. In the

Marine Corp, you have a formation platoon for a week before getting dropped to your training

platoon.

After getting all our stuff squared away, we head to the barracks where they teach you how to make your rack

(bed), how to lace your boots and a few other tidbits of information that are good to know. During that

instruction phase, I remember a drill instructor asking if we could smell something funny in the barracks. He

said, that is fear. He said,“We always smell it the first night.”

We all have something we fear. Spiders, snakes, heights, we all have some type of phobia. For some, speaking to

strangers can be a phobia. Something that grips them with fear. I’m actually not the outgoing guy most people

think I am. I am nervous every Sunday and I am usually nervous before talking to a stranger. I have to force

myself to start the conversation.

I try to remember the words of Moses as he spoke to the nation of Israel. I talked about it this past Sunday.

When handing over the reins to Joshua, he told the people,

“Be courageous and strong. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”– Deuteronomy 31:8

In times of fear, we often forget that God is with us. We tend to allow the fear to grip us and have control over

us. Emotions are a powerful thing that can make the steadiest hand tremble. We have to learn to control our

emotions and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us through whatever we are facing. Even if it’s just speaking to a

stranger for the first time so we can share the Gospel message.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter and the other apostles and disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly

proclaimed the Gospel. As a believer in Jesus Christ, you possess that same Holy Spirit. It’s not a lesser Holy

Spirit, that doesn’t have all the power as on the day of Pentecost. It’s the same one.

So, fear not! Be strong and courageous and go share the Gospel to all the world. Even strangers!

See you Sunday!

Pastor Glen