Just now, when the world is filled with fear, it is highly important that our workers everywhere—in the home, in the church, and among unbelievers—possess and maintain a positive, courageous attitude. Fear ruins business in the world, and if allowed, would ruin the business of the church. President Hoover has said, "Unjustifiable fear must be replaced with confidence." In stating this sound principle, Mr. Hoover recognizes the fact that fear inhibits business and paralyzes industry. It is a dangerous enemy, whether operating in the world or in the church.
Fear is an attitude of mind and heart, a disease that is destined to grow more terrible in these last days, as shown in Isaiah 2:17-22 and Luke 21:26. Yet the people of God may be free from it; for, as the apostle John has said, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." There is but one way to overcome fear, and that is with heaven-born confidence. A man may say, "I will not fear; I will not worry;" but he cannot stop either—by his own efforts. Yet God can accomplish the impossible by substituting the thought of confidence in the place of fear. We cannot think thoughts of fear and thoughts of confidence at the same time. One supplants the other, and God desires to make that change for us.
Men in the world are seeking relief from fear by making money, by resorting to drink, by pursuing pleasure, by taking drugs. Many are resorting to fortune tellers, as the following quotation indicates:
"Four out of every ten persons in the United States believe in fortune telling. Two more out of the same ten are willing to believe. Fortune telling has become a $125,000,000-a-year racket. Hard times have been boom times for the industry; for charlatans thrive on the fears and troubles of others. Finding no answers to their difficulties, harassed people have turned to the soothsayer to learn whether they will have food, clothing, and a roof over their heads."
He who puts trust in money, drink, drugs, fortune tellers, or any earthly security, has misplaced his confidence, and will surely find fear and anxiety increasing in his heart; but he who puts his confidence in God, His word, and His message, will see fear, doubt, distrust, and discouragement flee from him, and will maintain in all his bearing a positive, confident attitude, which will bring new power in his ministry. He will preach with greater assurance in his heart, and will be positive rather than negative in everything that pertains to the work of God. He believes the gospel of present truth is for all the world; and notwithstanding hard times, his watchword is, Advance! Enter new territory! While he does not believe in contracting debt, he does not dwell upon the poverty of our people, and settle back expecting to mark time for a while.
There is no limit to what God can do through His people in winning souls or providing funds. William Carey's motto should be our motto: "Expect great things of God; attempt great things for God." He who dwells upon the hard field in which he labors, the hard times, the poverty of the believers, weakens his own courage and that of our people. Why not watch for omens of success in the work? Why not preach positive, inspiring sermons? Why not write letters of hope and cheer? Why not expect the people, through sacrifice, to do more in supporting the cause than they have ever done? We need not sit back in uncertainty. In proportion as the Holy Spirit takes possession of leaders and laity, gifts to the cause may double and treble. Why should we not confidently expect that God will provide for every financial need that the rapid advance of the message may require?
There must have been hard times in Peter's day, when this leader of the disciples was so poor he had not a penny in his pocket to give to the lame man who asked alms at the gate of the temple. Yet Peter met the situation with confidence and assurance. "Silver and gold have I none," he said; "but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God."
Why should we not, dear fellow workers, follow Peter's example of confidence? Why not in all our doings express hope? Why not write letters of encouragement, telling the good things God is doing? Why not get clear over on the positive side, where, we shall expect God to perform any miracle the needs of the work require? We need just such an attitude as this to overcome present obstacles, financial and otherwise. Peter "petered" when he trusted man, but Peter triumphed when he trusted God.
Washington, D. C.
