My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen him. The enemy will not get the better of him…My faithful love will be with him. Psalm 89:21-22, 24
While traveling in South America recently, I was struck by a simple truth, spoken in an unlikely place. The wine countries of Chile and Argentina had been on my “bucket list” for quite a while when I was presented with an opportunity to tour these up and coming wine regions. Having traveled to Colombia many years ago where police carried machine guns, I was a bit hesitant to sign up for the group tour. After vetting my fears with the owner of the tour and friends who had been there before, I took the plunge and committed to going.
I have no regrets. The tour was absolutely amazing, the food and wine were unbelievable, and sights and activities were beautiful and thrilling. As we arrived at one winery for lunch at their attractive estate set at the base of the snow-capped Andes, I was immediately curious about the rather unusual name of the establishment. “El Enemigo” in Spanish means “The Enemy”. Our host explained that the owner of the winery was reluctant to launch his own business. As fears of starting something new assailed him, he realized that sometimes we are our own worst enemy.
How many times have I backed away in fear of trying something new or taking a risk? While it’s easier to remain in my comfort zone, when fear keeps me there, my comfort zone becomes a prison where I am no longer free to be who God intends me to be. When He calls me to step out of my safe haven to experience something new, I’ve learned that I have to step out in faith, knowing that God goes before me and walks beside me. He equips me to do what He’s called me to do, whether that’s to start a second career as a writer or to travel halfway around the world to a new and different place.
What fears keep you from starting something new or stepping out to follow where God leads? As our key verse says, when you allow God to guide you, He will give you the strength. The enemy, your fearful self, will not get the better of you. God’s faithful love will be with you.
I’m so thankful I didn’t listen to the “enemy” in my head and cave to my fears. Like the owner of “El Enemigo”, I, too, can experience new adventures as I step out of my fears and into God’s will for me, knowing that He goes before me and walks beside me, every step of the way.
Lord, forgive me when I’m controlled by my fears instead of by Your Spirit. Give me the courage to step out in faith and follow wherever You lead. Thank You for going with me wherever I go. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Text and photograph copyright © 2017 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of colorful tiled steps at Casa El Enemigo, Mendoza, Argentina.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
While traveling in South America recently, I was struck by a simple truth, spoken in an unlikely place. The wine countries of Chile and Argentina had been on my “bucket list” for quite a while when I was presented with an opportunity to tour these up and coming wine regions. Having traveled to Colombia many years ago where police carried machine guns, I was a bit hesitant to sign up for the group tour. After vetting my fears with the owner of the tour and friends who had been there before, I took the plunge and committed to going.
I have no regrets. The tour was absolutely amazing, the food and wine were unbelievable, and sights and activities were beautiful and thrilling. As we arrived at one winery for lunch at their attractive estate set at the base of the snow-capped Andes, I was immediately curious about the rather unusual name of the establishment. “El Enemigo” in Spanish means “The Enemy”. Our host explained that the owner of the winery was reluctant to launch his own business. As fears of starting something new assailed him, he realized that sometimes we are our own worst enemy.
How many times have I backed away in fear of trying something new or taking a risk? While it’s easier to remain in my comfort zone, when fear keeps me there, my comfort zone becomes a prison where I am no longer free to be who God intends me to be. When He calls me to step out of my safe haven to experience something new, I’ve learned that I have to step out in faith, knowing that God goes before me and walks beside me. He equips me to do what He’s called me to do, whether that’s to start a second career as a writer or to travel halfway around the world to a new and different place.
What fears keep you from starting something new or stepping out to follow where God leads? As our key verse says, when you allow God to guide you, He will give you the strength. The enemy, your fearful self, will not get the better of you. God’s faithful love will be with you.
I’m so thankful I didn’t listen to the “enemy” in my head and cave to my fears. Like the owner of “El Enemigo”, I, too, can experience new adventures as I step out of my fears and into God’s will for me, knowing that He goes before me and walks beside me, every step of the way.
Lord, forgive me when I’m controlled by my fears instead of by Your Spirit. Give me the courage to step out in faith and follow wherever You lead. Thank You for going with me wherever I go. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
Text and photograph copyright © 2017 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of colorful tiled steps at Casa El Enemigo, Mendoza, Argentina.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
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