Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you, always to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:17-20

Fear is crippling. It can stop a person in their tracks. It whispers questions into one’s mind and brings doubt. Jesus wants to deal with the fears in our lives. Whatever our questions, doubts and fears, Jesus wants to address them head on.

When we are scared because we are not sure of the authority we have, Jesus tells us that He is the ultimate authority. He is above any and every authority we know. This must give us confidence, strength, and courage knowing that we are on this mission riding on Jesus’ authority.

Sometimes we are scared because we do not know what to do, where to start. We can feel overwhelmed by a job, relationship, a new season in life. Jesus gives us a clear mandate of what He wants us to do in His mission: to go and make disciples of all nations. This means life as a Christian is more than just sitting around and growing together. It is also about going out and helping others find a relationship with God, helping them know what it is like to live for God and grow and mature in the Lord. It is about helping them come to the place where they can make a public declaration of their relationship with God, and help them obey Jesus and be changed and transformed more into His likeness.

Most of the time, we only want to start something when we know that we will succeed in it. It is scary to get into anything when you do not know the outcome. All we want to hear is that everything is going to be alright, we will succeed. But Jesus does not promise that. Rather, He gives a better promise, that He will always be with us. He gives us the promise of His presence. Always. So, even when things get hard, in the darkest times, remember, Jesus is with you.

When the doubts, questions, fears start creeping in, bring them to Jesus, because He wants to deal with them head on. And remember that you are wherever you are under Jesus’ authority and He will always be with you. Live out the mission that Jesus has given you. Hold on to the promise that He is always with you.

By: Edith Kansilanga