FAITH OVER FEAR!
We heard it a lot during the early COVID years. We heard it a lot during the mid-COVID years when the virus really ramped up. We hear it even today, only not so much because of COVID but because of life and all that it brings. I even have a t-shirt my daughter made me back in those early years that diagrams it this way:
FAITH
___________
FEAR
Leaving the idea of COVID behind, there are many people who do live their lives in fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of taking chances. Fear of adventure. Fear of stepping out in faith. And it could go on. So, let’s take this idea of fear and ask what we might be hearing in our hearts and minds?
- Am I afraid of falling behind on my faith journey?
- Am I afraid of abandoning what I have known for so many years?
- Am I afraid of being challenged for what I believe?
- Am I afraid of being compared to someone else and either they or I realize I’m not growing very fast or very consistently?
- Am I afraid to trust God completely with everything?
- Am I afraid of abusing grace or-the opposite-of not living to the letter of the Law?
- Here’s one more: Am I afraid I will disappoint God with my lack of faith?
Like I stated earlier, the scenarios are endless. We live in a fearful society. We live in a fearful “spiritual environment.” Fear thrives on hesitancy. On waffling. On worry about pain. On anxiety about the future. Whether you live by yourself or not fear is worried about loneliness.
The Faith over Fear moniker is a reality that we need to practice. The enemy of our souls does not want us to branch out. He does not want us to trust. He does not want us to stretch our wings. He does want us to hunker down. He does want us to cower. He does want us to settle for less that God’s best. And his ultimate goal is to devastate our faith. He wants us to live with Fear over Faith. That stymies us and our witness.
Above all, it hinders our trust relationship with the Father, the Good Shepherd. “I am the Good Shepherd,” He says. “My sheep hear my voice and they know me.” Sounds like He is calling us to faith and to trust Him to lead us to green pastures and still waters. For a refresher, read again Psalm 23. “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.” (NLT) That is called faith.
And THAT is a promise from the Good Shepherd Himself.
Fear is the primary weapon of the enemy and Faith is the protection against it. When the Fiery arrows are shot in our direction, we must raise our shields to block the attack. Thanks for the Good reminder today!
Great imagery Ryan. Thanks for reminding me of that. 🙂
No matter what may come, I always want to choose faith over fear. Sometimes, that’s easier said than done, but the way you’ve closed this reflection with the promise of the Good Shepherd gives me more comfort than you know. Thanks, Bill, and blessings!
Thanks Martha. I think we all need a reminder like that along the way.
A long while after I became a Christian, I actually FEARED God… because I kept screwing up and having these terrible nightmares. All I can say is that faith is something that we have to adapt to and lean on, and use. Only then will we overcome fear. Also the Bible teaches us that with God, we have nothing to fear! I guess that’s why we end up being God’s mightest warriors?
A lot of pastors/preachers use fear as a tool of manipulation. If they can cause fear they can control people. God doesn’t work that way. The way to fear God is to revere Him. I’m glad you are out of that.
We do have the Good Shepard, Our Lord and Savior, and He has promised to never leave us, or forsake us, we can trust His protection. Remember that Jesus will leave the 99 to go after the one, we are safe in His arms. Remember to put on the armor of God each morning, walk with the Lord, the enemy can keep his lies to himself.
Great capsulization of the need for trust Gail. And how to trust.
Good reminders Bill. It’s a choice everyday to not fear. I have chosen not to watch the news on TV much for it can cause the human fear to rise up. I use to fear the process of dying not my future after dying but the process after death to heaven, until God helped me through the Word to really understand He will never leave me even in the transition. Through His love I have conquered so many fears. I have never feared Him, or feared He would leave me. I have set under a preacher who used fear as a tool of manipulations, woe to him. Thank God, for the truths in the Word, nothing can separate me from the love of God, NOTHING. I am getting closer to Him as I deal with earthly issues. That really for me has been what they call the golden years golden. Blessings
it is always good to see God move in our hearts as we grow in our faith. From sitting under a fear-mongering preacher to standing firm in fearless faith, you have grown. Easy? No. instantaneously? No again. But worth it? Yep you bet. Thanks for coming by Betty.