Turning 40 is a significant milestone, and I recently celebrated this important birthday on the 17th. Reflecting on my life, which has been filled with joy, adventure, fun, and failure, there are certainly 40 things I wish I hadn’t done or could have done better. Yet, I am thankful for the Lord’s sustaining grace. God is indeed the Redeemer of lives.
I can’t recount all my failures in this one article, but one of my greatest struggles was fear—fear about people’s opinions, my capabilities, and even God’s ability. For a long time, I lived as an unbelieving believer. But God enabled me to overcome the fear of man, which is a real snare.
Proverbs 29:25: “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”
Growing up as a pastor’s child in India, I often prioritized the approval of others over what truly mattered—the Lord’s opinion. It was like running on a treadmill that never stopped. No matter how hard I worked or how fast I tried to go, the approval of people was never enough, and I was constantly exhausted. Yet in the past few years, especially following my father’s sudden passing, I’ve undergone a transformative journey. God began to strip away my fear of people, which I hadn’t even consciously considered. I started to live less for the applause of men and more for the cheers of heaven.
This transformation reminds me of the story of the apostle Peter. In Matthew 14:30, Peter walked on water toward Jesus, but when he noticed the wind and waves, fear overcame him, and he began to sink. That’s how fear of man can be—it distracts us from keeping our eyes on Jesus. But just as Jesus reached out to Peter and lifted him up, so too has He rescued me from the sinking depths of fear.
I am grateful that I no longer fear people as I used to. This insidious fear occasionally revisits me, yet my heartfelt prayer remains steadfast: I do not seek the praise of man but the approval of God. Ah, what freedom! Galatians 1:10 resonates deeply with me: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” This verse serves as a poignant reminder of my purpose and calling.
As I embark on the next chapter of my life, I am filled with hope and anticipation. I trust that the Lord will guide me, using my experiences for His glory. Here’s to the next 40 years—may they be marked by the pursuit of His truth and unwavering dedication to serving Him. My prayer for the future is to love God passionately, love my family unconditionally, and serve those entrusted to me with intention. May I march to the drumbeat of heaven with holy confidence, craving only His “well done” and be filled with JOY as I become all He has created me to be.
| Consider this: Breaking Free from Fear: Reflect on how fear—especially the fear of people’s opinions—held you back and how God’s grace allowed you to overcome this struggle. A Transformative Journey: Growing up as a pastor’s kid in India, along with the impact of my father’s passing, led to a deeper spiritual transformation and freedom from seeking human approval. Looking Ahead with Hope: Emphasize your commitment to living for God’s approval, not man’s, as you embark on the next chapter, with Galatians 1:10 serving as a guiding principle. |
