If you've read the Upclose about 15-year-old Zach Hunter, you already know he's an abolitionist, activist and spokesperson for The Amazing Change Campaign, a movement inspired by the film Amazing Grace. He spends much of his time working to end modern-day slavery and inspire his generation. In this important role, he speaks at major conferences and music festivals.

Zach authored the book, Be the Change (Zondervan/Youth Specialties), to challenge all of us to make the world better. Here is a story from his chapter on courage—something all of us need, whether we're fighting slavery or feeling trapped by our own fears.

In May 2006, when I was 14, I was given an opportunity to speak about the issue of modern-day slavery at a big music festival in California. There were nearly 15,000 people there—one of the biggest crowds I'd ever seen, let alone spoken to!

Most people don't know I struggled with an anxiety disorder when I was in middle school. I would experience short periods of depression, and felt both paranoid and sick to my stomach. During these anxiety attacks, I would either have trouble breathing, or I'd get extremely nauseated. Sometimes, I'd just lie down and it felt as though I couldn't get up. These attacks were making me miserable most of the time, and robbing me of my joy and courage. Through support from family, God and friends, I defeated my anxiety disorder. I haven't had an attack in several years. But when I looked out at that huge crowd at the music festival, some of those old fears came rushing back.

I remember looking out on the stage where David Crowder was getting ready to perform and thinking there was no way I could do this. And I remember turning to my mom and saying, "I don't think I can go out there."

Mom responded, "That's OK, then don't." I don't know if she was serious or not. But I knew I had a chance to let people know the story of millions of people who are suffering around the world as slaves. And if I didn't speak up, then who would?

After Mom promised to pray for me, I decided to go ahead and take the stage, trusting God would give me the courage when I got there. I explained the truth about slavery to thousands of people that night, and I'm glad I did. During that summer, I was able to speak to nearly a half a million people about slavery, God's passion for justice, and how they can get involved in helping to end slavery forever. God has given me a spirit of peace as I speak up for others. I know I have courage that comes from him, and that he is the one who enables me to do what I do. I still get nervous, but the stories of kids who are enslaved compel me to be courageous.

I know the courage I need to show is really nothing like the massive courage of many others who face death and danger every day. Soldiers who put their lives on the line to defend their countries. Investigators who brave dark corners of the world to free slaves. Firefighters who enter burning buildings to risk their lives for one more victim. And definitely, the courage required of every man, woman and child in slavery who must wake up today and face their slave masters. But each of us faces situations in which we need to muster up our courage. When we do, it's as though the courage multiplies like yeast in dough, allowing us to be even more courageous the next time we're called upon.

What About You?
Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is when you choose to acknowledge your fear, and look it in the face.

What are you afraid of? Everyone is afraid of something. Are you afraid of failure? Afraid of what might happen if everyone knew that you, Mr. Perfect, got an F in science? Are you afraid you might be shunned if everyone knew that your parents were divorcing, or your dad was an alcoholic, or you're not really the person you say you are? What are you afraid of? If you don't face your fear head-on, it will never go away.

Often our fear keeps us from getting close to God and others. God can use our fear to remind us of our need for him. We need to forget about ourselves and focus on others. If you have a fear of the unknown, go on a mission trip to a country you've never seen. If you are afraid of failure, try something new that you may not be good at. It's important to acknowledge and confront our fears so we can move past them.

Breaking free from fear brings one of the most liberating feelings in the word. By liberating yourself from fear, you open the door to your mind, allowing the room fear took up to be filled with creativity and passion instead. And when creativity and passion come in as a gift from God and clean things out, you are able to care about things beyond yourself and your own fears. And that's a good thing.

Read more from 'Faith & Values'

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