F.O.P.O - Part 2

Have you ever found yourself paralyzed by the fear of what others might think of you?

You're not alone. Many of us struggle with FOPO - the "Fear of Other People's Opinions." But what if there was a better way? What if instead of FOPO, we cultivated FOGO - the "Fear of God's Opinion"?

This shift in perspective isn't just about exchanging one fear for another. It's about transforming how we think, feel, and act - towards ourselves, others, and most importantly, towards God. When we're consumed by the fear of man's opinion, we tend to avoid, run away, and hide. But when we trust in God's perfect plan for our lives, something remarkable happens. The fear doesn't vanish entirely, but it begins to fade as we face it under His protection.

Think of it like riding a roller coaster, sledding down a hill or jumping out of an airplane. The first time is terrifying, but by the hundredth time, you're eagerly lining up for another go. Facing our fears becomes a new lifestyle, an exhilarating journey of growth and trust.

So how do we make this shift? Let's explore three key principles:

1. Trust the Sender

Jesus once sent out His disciples with these words: "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16).

He instructed them to take nothing extra for the journey - no gold, silver, - (no debit cards or smart phones) not even a spare coat. Why? Because He wanted them to rely completely on Him. This level of trust is challenging. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones, to go not in our own strength but in God's power. The disciples faced rejection, persecution, and even death for their faith. Yet they couldn't help but speak about what they had seen and heard. Their rock-solid trust in the One who sent them outweighed any fear of man's opinion. As we seek to share our faith or live out our convictions, we must cultivate this same ruthless trust. Proverbs 29:25 reminds us that: "The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted." The fear of man is at odds with (and interferes) trusting God.

2. Face the Fear of Rejection with a Strategy

Let's be honest - rejection hurts. From our earliest years, we learn to associate the word "No" with fear, trouble and pain. As a child - the word "no" - was often followed up with a smack! Don't touch the stove - NO! It's HOT! Ouch!!! It's no wonder we try to avoid rejection at all costs. Our human nature - yearns for acceptance - we all want to be accepted - no one says - "boy I hope I get rejected!" So we naturally avoid. We avoid people and difficult conversation. But avoidance only feeds our fears. Instead, we need to face them head-on, armed with a strategy.

The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:10-18 gives us his strategy for wrestling in the spiritual realm by putting on the full armor of God - and concludes in verse 18 that the armor is sealed by prayer!  You're never "fully dressed without a prayer" (thank you Annie)! Ephesians 6:18  "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit ..."

To that end I say ....

• Pre-pray: Before any interaction (phone call/meeting/visit/shopping trip), take a moment to sit quietly and invite God into the situation - first. Then ... Go! (fools rush-in)
• Prepare: Know your audience. Know scripture. (your feet "shod") Think through potential outcomes and how you might respond. Holy Spirit will bring to mind what to say or what NOT to say.
• Be present: Focus on the other person, not yourself. Ask questions and truly listen.
• Pray in the moment: Silently ask the Holy Spirit to guide your words and actions. (He will)
• Post-pray: After the encounter, reflect on what happened and ask God for guidance on any follow-up. (sending a note, a thank you card, an article, book, etc.)

Remember, evangelism, like any meaningful relationship, takes time. Be patient, be persistent, and always look for ways to build bridges to Christ.

3. Reflect the King

As believers, we are ambassadors of Christ's Kingdom. Wherever we go, we represent Him. This is both a tremendous privilege and a weighty responsibility. Our actions, words, and attitudes should reflect the character of our King.
Colossians 4:5-6 instructs: "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Here are some practical ways to be a good ambassador:

• Ground yourself in God's Word
• Stay informed about current events, but view them through a Kingdom lens
• Develop good questions to foster meaningful dialogue
• Pray for boldness
• Speak calmly and respectfully, even in disagreement
• Be prepared for rejection, remembering that Jesus faced it too
• View every encounter as an opportunity to share Christ
• Focus on God's approval above all else

Breaking free from the fear of others' opinions is a journey. It requires intentionality, courage, and a deep trust in God's love and approval. But the freedom it brings is worth every step of the struggle.

As we learn to trust the Sender, face our fears, and reflect our King, we'll find ourselves less concerned with FOPO and more and more aligned with FOGO. We'll be empowered to live boldly, speak the truth lovingly, and make a lasting impact for God's Kingdom.

So today, why not take a small step out of your comfort zone? Strike up a conversation with a stranger, share your faith with a friend, or stand firm in your convictions at work. Remember, you're not alone. The One who sends you goes with you, and His opinion is the one that truly matters. Let's break free from the snare of fearing man and step into the liberating fear of the Lord. It's time to trust, face, and reflect - for His glory and the advancement of His Kingdom. Amen.  

Sometimes random - sometimes not - some things I think - measured against scripture.

  "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  
~ 2 Timothy 2:15