Picture an eighty year old shepherd, walking behind his father in law’s sheep in the middle of the desert. He has no army, no title, and no platform. Forty years earlier he fled Egypt as a wanted man, and since then his life has been quiet, ordinary, and far from the palace where he grew up.
Then one day he sees something strange: a bush burning with fire, yet not being consumed. He walks closer, and a voice calls out his name from the middle of the bush. It is God, and God has an assignment for him: go to Pharaoh, the most powerful man in Egypt, and bring the Israelites out of slavery.
How does Moses respond? He does not say, “Yes, Lord, right away.” He says, “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11)
If you have ever had a dream, a business idea, a ministry, or a project you were afraid to begin, you know exactly how Moses felt. The fear of starting is real. Doubts show up: “Who am I? What if I fail? What will people say? What if I am not good enough?”
But look at how the story ends. This same man who was afraid to start went on to lead millions of people out of slavery, stand before Pharaoh, and part the Red Sea by the power of God. The difference was not that Moses stopped feeling afraid. The difference was what he did with his fear.
The Quick Answer: How Do You Overcome the Fear of Starting?
According to the life of Moses, here are the four key lessons:
- Know God by reading and studying His word.
- Follow God’s instructions step by step.
- Wait for and depend on the presence of God.
- Do not be carried away by public opinion.
Let us look at each one, and then at a few more lessons from the story of Moses.
Lesson 1: Know God by Reading and Studying His Word
Fear often grows where knowledge of God is weak. The more you know who God is, the smaller your fears become. Faith is built through knowing Him, and Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Notice how Moses came to know God. At the burning bush, he asked God what to say if the people asked who sent him. God introduced Himself: “I AM THAT I AM… Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3:14) God was telling Moses that He is the self existent one, the God who is whatever you need Him to be. When you know the I AM is with you, your fear has to bow.
Later, Moses went even deeper. He went up to Mount Sinai and stayed in the presence of God for forty days and forty nights (Exodus 24:18). He came down knowing God more deeply than ever, and the people could see the difference.
You may not spend forty days on a mountain, but you can spend time daily reading and studying God’s word. When you do, you build your faith and you shrink your fear. A practical step: set aside fifteen to thirty minutes each day to read and meditate on scripture, especially passages about God’s faithfulness and promises. Do this before you take on your next big step.
Lesson 2: Follow God’s Instructions
One of the clearest patterns in Moses’ story is obedience. Exodus 7:6 says, “And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.” Moses did not invent his own strategy, he followed the instructions God gave him, step by step.
When Moses obeyed, God worked through him. He stretched out his rod as instructed, spoke the words he was told to speak, and walked through every stage of the process. It was by following God’s instructions that Moses stood before Pharaoh and saw God defeat him. To be precise, it was God who defeated Pharaoh, but He did it through a man who was willing to obey.
Here is the connection to fear: when you do not know what to do, fear grows. When you have clear instructions and take the next step, fear shrinks. You do not have to see the whole staircase, you only need to take the next step you have been shown.
A practical step: ask God for direction through prayer and His word, write down what He shows you, and take the first small action. Then take the next one.
A word of caution: partial obedience is dangerous. Years later, in Numbers 20, God told Moses to speak to a rock to bring out water, but in frustration, Moses struck it twice. That moment of disobedience cost him the privilege of entering the Promised Land. Following instructions fully matters, even for a great leader.
Lesson 3: Wait for the Presence of God
This is one of the most powerful moments in Moses’ life. After the people had sinned, God told Moses to move on toward the Promised Land, but God said He would not go with them in the same way. Moses responded with a bold statement: “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” (Exodus 33:15)
In other words, “God, if You are not going with us, we are not going.” Moses did not want success without God’s presence. He valued the presence of God above the destination.
And God responded: “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” (Exodus 33:14)
This is a powerful lesson for anyone who is afraid of starting. Do not just rush into a project because you feel pressured. Wait on God, pray, and seek His presence first. Starting in His presence gives you peace, and His presence gives you rest, even in a challenging season. A practical step: before you launch, pray and ask, “Lord, will Your presence go with me in this?” Then wait until you have peace.
Lesson 4: Do Not Be Carried Away by Public Opinion
Moses faced a lot of criticism and pressure from people. At the Red Sea, with Pharaoh’s army approaching, the people complained: “Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness?” (Exodus 14:11) Later, they complained about food, about water, and about his leadership.
If Moses had focused on the people’s opinions, he would have given up. Instead, he turned his focus to God. At the Red Sea, he said, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day.” (Exodus 14:13) He kept his eyes on God rather than on the crowd.
Many people never start because they are afraid of what others will say. Family, friends, and critics may not understand your vision, and some may even laugh at it. But remember what Romans 8:31 says: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (That verse was written by Paul, but it captures exactly what Moses lived.) Psalm 118:6 adds, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”
A practical step: be careful whom you share your early plans with. Seek counsel from wise, godly people, and do not let the loudest voices set your direction.
More Lessons from the Story of Moses
There is much more we can learn from Moses about overcoming fear.
Do not let excuses stop you. Moses had a list of excuses: “Who am I?” (Exodus 3:11), “What shall I say?” (3:13), “They will not believe me” (4:1), “I am not eloquent” (4:10), and finally, “Send someone else” (4:13). God answered every single excuse. To “Who am I?” He said, “Certainly I will be with thee.” (Exodus 3:12) To “I am not eloquent,” He said, “Who hath made man’s mouth?… Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” (Exodus 4:11 to 12) Notice that God did not remove Moses’ weaknesses before sending him. He provided what was needed along the way.
Use what is already in your hand. When Moses doubted, God asked him a simple question: “What is that in thine hand?” Moses answered, “A rod.” (Exodus 4:2) That ordinary shepherd’s staff became a tool for miracles. You may feel you do not have enough to start, but ask yourself: what is in your hand? A skill, a phone, a talent, a small amount of money, an idea? Begin with what you have.
Accept help. God provided Aaron to speak alongside Moses (Exodus 4:14 to 16), and later, Moses’ father in law Jethro advised him to share the load by appointing capable leaders (Exodus 18:17 to 23). You do not have to do everything alone. Seek partners, mentors, and teammates.
Remember it is never too late. Moses was eighty years old when he began his assignment (Exodus 7:7). If you think you are too old, too young, or too late, remember that God’s timing is not limited by your age.
God has not given you a spirit of fear. Paul reminds Timothy, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) Fear is not from God, but power, love, and a sound mind are.
How to Apply These Lessons to Your Business or Project
Here is a simple way to put this into practice this week:
- Spend time daily with God’s word and ask Him for direction about your next step.
- Write down the instructions or ideas He gives you, and take the first small action.
- Pray for His presence to go with you before you launch.
- Limit the opinions you listen to, and choose your counsellors carefully.
- Start with what is in your hand, and ask for help where you need it.
Conclusion
The fear of starting is real, and even Moses felt it. But he did not allow fear to have the final word. He came to know God through His word and His presence, followed His instructions, refused to move without His presence, and kept his focus on God instead of on the crowd.
You can do the same. Whatever God has placed in your heart to begin, whether it is a business, a ministry, a career change, or a creative project, do not let fear keep it locked in your mind. Know Him, obey Him, wait on His presence, and take the first step. The same I AM who met Moses at the burning bush is with you today.
