Apprehension...

Some time ago I completed a daily reading series by Charles Swindoll, Come Before Winter...

While each reading was thought-provoking one reading in particular held my attention.

Apprehension...

One explanation of apprehension by Dictionary.com describes it this way, anticipation of adversity or misfortune; suspicion or fear of future trouble or evil.

Further reading of Dictionary.com includes the following synonyms, alarm, worry, uneasiness and suspicion, all implying an unsettled and uneasy state of mind, and again apprehension is an active state of fear, usually of some danger or misfortune.

This undefined uneasiness or feeling of uncertainty, misgiving or mistrust has the potential to cripple or immobilise, to hold us back.

"What frustration is to yesterday, apprehension is to tomorrow."

...Swindoll

The admission by the Apostle Paul in Acts 20:22,
"And now compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.",
has an air of apprehension against the backdrop of long term opposition faced by Paul across the course of his missionary journeys and the haze of an uncertain future.

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It's apprehension that tightens the heart muscles, tugs on the reins, even generating the temptation to turn and run.

While openly acknowledging its presence Paul stood firm, refusing to run, emphatically declaring in Acts 20:24,
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace."

The bonds of apprehension are strong until DETERMINATION breaks their hold and we refuse to run but instead break free and move forward.

Further evidence of the character of Paul's determination can be found in Philippians 3:7-15 where he finishes with these resounding words,
" I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

In the face of apprehension resolve to...

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