Faith vs. Fear

Yes, I was one of those people. When the kids called I would say, “Is anything wrong?” As they got older they would say to me, “Mom, why do you always think something is wrong?” After some time of going through this routine with them, I realized I was living in an unrealized fear…
…”fear of the worst”…
…expecting something terrible to be around the corner…….

After reading the story of the disciples, who traveled with Jesus and witnessed Him performing many miracles, I can so identify with them in the story found in Matthew 8:23-26.

“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves and it was completely calm.”

Whether we have a sudden and unexpected fierce “life storm” or we live in “fear of one”…our daily life…needs to be spent in deepening our relationship with God.

It is there where we “REST” and our Faith becomes rock solid. For me, studying Scripture and knowing the heart of God…and believing and applying God’s word…has taken the “roots of my faith” deeper. I now daily take the time to reflect on some of life’s storms that I have lived and those of others, including ones in the Bible, and I REMEMBER how God has shown up and provided.

From me being 11 and speaking in front of a large crowd at summer camp and being terrified…to having my heart broken by a boy…to hurtful words by others that cut deep…to having our first child and having no clue as to what to do, to having our son diagnosed with a chronic illness at 5, to my dad’s stroke, to my nephew being in a terrible car accident and being helicoptered to Columbia, to my mother’s illness and death….just to name a few…God ALWAYS showed up.

During everyone of those times…God’s comfort and peace washed over me. He provided others to come alongside of me to encourage and comfort me. When we take the time to reflect on storms that have passed, we can see the hand of God.

I encourage you today with these Scriptures. Read them. Write them on a notecard. Hide them in your heart. It is truth…real truth to digest…to absorb and to make a part of your life.

Deuteronomy 31:8, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” These were the words of Moses to Joshua. You see Moses had experienced God’s hand many times as he obeyed God in leading the Israelites to the promised land. He could say this with confidence. Just in studying the life of Moses, who was not a perfect man, (In fact he committed murder. He tried to take matters into his own hands early in his life.) we see that God loved Moses. He used Moses, guided him and provided for him, even when Moses didn’t feel adequate.

Next we see God’s words to Joshua found in Joshua 1:7-9, “Be strong and VERY courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave to you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this book of the law always on your lips. Meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” [emphasis added].

It was when I started meditating on God’s word day and night….and learned to NOT “turn from it to the right or to the left” that my fear was starved and my FAITH grew like a “California Redwood”.

God’s word will never ever return void in my life or yours. So understand today, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. His word was not just for Moses or Joshua; it is for me and for you!

Faith is impossible to have…without exercising courage! May you step today with the “Sword of the Spirit” in your heart and mind. It is there where the sea parts and you find solid ground for running your race. A race that becomes exhilarating and inspiring.

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