THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL
Fear.

By Tiara Walker January 10th, 2016

“Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.’” Genesis 15:1 (NLT)

It was my sixth grade year, and the start of a new school year always excited me—the smell of a new crayon box, the binders I would embellish with all the glittery stickers the store had to offer, the brand new backpack, the new desks and sitting arrangements, and if the school year was promising enough, the new kids I would add to my “friends” list.

However, this year was especially exciting. My school was doing something they’d never done before—and that, ladies and gentlemen, was the start of a brand new school drama team! But, this drama team was like no other. This drama team was the real deal. We had weekly practices with lines we memorized and acted out; and, to top it off, we would perform skits in front of audiences from all around the state!​

Now, the school I went to was an incredibly small, private Christian school, so there weren’t a lot of choices (if any at all) when it came to extracurricular activities. That’s why I signed up as quickly as I could when they announced that a new school drama team was being formed!

After a few practices, we were told about our first scheduled performance. I was thrilled—ecstatic, if you will! I couldn’t wait!​

The day of our performance came and we arrived at a small Christian summer camp. I was so excited that I skipped into the auditorium with a foam sword in hand, ready to showcase the skit where we fight off the devil and protect our hearts from sin, and the other skit, where we all sing “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah!” Nothing could stand in my way. I was fearless! That is, until I got a glimpse of the audience. One look at an auditorium full of kids made my knees a little shaky. And to top it all off, the kids were all my age. I knew for a fact that they would all judge me. The entire auditorium would laugh at me if I messed up or forgot a line.

Negative thoughts coursed through my mind until I got to the point where I doubted whether I could even say actual words anymore. But as I sat there, trembling in my seat, our drama instructor came over to our team and said something that changed my entire outlook. “Whatever happens up there, we do it all for the glory of God,” she said.​

I remember sitting there those last few moments before the camp counselor called us up on stage, completely consumed with fear. But I’m doing this for God, I thought to myself.​ ​

Although our drama team was small, we had the privilege and honor of representing God up on that stage; and I have to say, I was proud to be there. I prayed, God, whatever happens, be glorified, and then mustered up all the courage my eleven-year-old self could muster and walked out on that stage.​

Eight years later, I still prayed the exact same prayer as we taught God’s love to thousands of people during hundreds of performances. And just like it says in Genesis 15, the reward of trusting in God was great. Because of that little drama team, I was able to see so many people come to the Lord. Some even came up to us and said that they were impressed to start Bible study groups and drama teams of their own. God was planting seeds in so many hearts and I was touched to watch it happen.​

So, if there is one thing I could tell you, it would be this: regardless of fear, uncertainty, anxiety, or overwhelming pressure, step out in faith. Know that God is going to protect you—and your reward will be great!