Jacob - a lesson on fears

Genesis 35:1-5, 9-10 God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there. Make an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, so that I may make there an altar to the God who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that they had, and the rings that were in their ears. Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree that was near Shechem. And as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name Israel. As we follow the story of Jacob, his life was one driven by fears - fear of being left behind by his brother so he had to grab his heal; later fear of his brother's revenge; fear of his father-in-law taking advantage of him. Finally, Jacob comes to realize that God has always been there with him and that his fears have been in vain. It is at that point that he can finally become Israel, the father of the great nation God will use. How many fears are we allowing to hold us back from all God has for us?