Faith Over Fear
A few years ago, Jami and I had LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) laid in the entire first floor of our home. So, instead of having four different types of flooring on our first floor, with one being carpet, we now only have one. In addition to getting new flooring, we also have big rugs in two of the rooms with smaller rugs by the front door, the door to the garage and the back sliding door. We love it. However, our five-year old labrador retriever does not. She’s petrified of the new flooring! I don’t know what changed, but she now essentially lives rug to rug. And as she walks on the LVP to get from rug to rug, you can see the fear in her eyes. As she walks from the front room to the back tv room, this is her routine… She walks from the front room rug, to the stairs which are carpeted, to the front door rug, to the garage door rug, to the sliding door rug, and finally to the back room rug where she can finally relax. And as she’s walking, her legs are shaking as her nails are desperately trying to grab on to what’s not there. She won’t stop on the new flooring. She won’t sit. She won’t even pause to pick up a toy or eat any type of human food. She is simply paralyzed with fear. And so, her little life is confined from one rug to the next all because she has given in to fear. As I look back over my life, there are times that I’ve given in to fear as well. There are even times now where I’m still paralyzed by fear. But that’s not how God has designed us to live. Check this out:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
You see, fear is a powerful force. It can paralyze us and keep us from stepping into what God has for us. But God is all-powerful. And through His strength, we can face and confront fear head-on as our faith grows and our fears begin to diminish. So, let’s look at three truths of fear.
First, fear distracts us from what really matters. You see, we could place the tastiest chunk of steak on the floor, and our lab would crouch down desperately trying to grip the floor with her lab nails, and with shaking legs quake past it to get to the next rug. Her fear completely consumes her focus, causing her to miss out of something she desires. Isn’t that how fear works itself out in our life as well? Fear causes us to focus on the obstacles instead of God’s opportunities. When God calls us to something, whether it’s sharing our faith, making a big decision, or stepping into a new season, fear tries to keep us stuck. And we hesitate and overthink which sometimes causes us to miss what God has set before us because we’re too focused on our fear.
That’s what fear does. But when we shift our focus off fear and place our faith in God, the Father, He gives us eyes to see life differently. Instead of dwelling on the fear itself, we get to look to God’s promises, trusting that He’ll guide us even when the path seems uncertain.
Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
Secondly, fear steals our strength, but God gives us power. I don’t know about you, but fear is exhausting. It drains my energy. Keeps me up at night. It makes small tasks and decisions feel overwhelming. This is everything fear gives us. It’s fear’s gift to us. But God has something different. You see, God gives us power… He gifts us His power. The power that the Apostle Paul talks about in 2 Timothy isn’t our own strength… it’s not our own power… It's God’s strength and power working in us. The Greek word for power here is the same word used to describe the power of the Holy Spirit. This means that, as we trust in Jesus, we don’t have to rely on our own abilities. We have access to the God’s power working in and through us. In fact, the result is 100 times better and greater because of this than if the result only depended upon my own abilities! How great is that!
Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
When we face our fear, we can remind ourselves that we are not alone. God is with us, equipping us to stand strong. Instead of giving in to our fear, we can walk in faith knowing that His power is greater than anything we face.
And third, fear is self-focused, but love looks outward. As I look at myself when I’ve been paralyzed by fear I’ve noticed that it turns my attention inward. I begin to worry about my safety, my reputation, my future. My attention is on ME. But God has given us a spirit of love, a love that gets rid of fear and redirects our focus to God and others.
1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
You see, when we operate out of fear, we hesitate to step into obedience. Maybe we avoid sharing the Gospel because we’re afraid of rejection. Maybe we hold back from serving because we’re afraid of failure. Maybe we don’t step into the new thing because we’re afraid of the unknown. But when love leads us, when Jesus leads us, we can push past fear because our focus is on God’s glory and the joy living within obedience to Him. Love empowers us to take risks in Jesus’ name. It encourages us to trust that God will work through us despite our fear because of His love for us.
Ultimately, fear keeps us wanting what’s comfortable, which in turn, keeps us from the joy and full life Jesus give us as we step past our fear in obedience to His will for our life. We don’t have to live lives controlled by fear. Through God’s Word we can renew our minds and replace fear-filled thoughts with faith-filled thoughts.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Are you missing out on what God has for you because you’re too focused on fear? Or will you trust the One who has given you power, love, and a sound mind?
Step out in faith. Walk in confidence. And remember, you were not given a spirit of fear! Trust Jesus over fear today.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
Getting My Attention 120 Feet Under Water
I love to scuba dive. Or, should I say, I loved scuba diving. It’s one activity that certainly gave me the chance to explore the unknown, to see things and creatures you can’t see above the surface of the water. I haven’t gone in years, but there’s one memory that stands out. You see, me and a few of my buddies had the chance to go scuba diving off the coast of Cozumel. This was by far the most exotic place I have ever gone scuba diving. Like any other dive site, we rode out by boat, jumped into the water, and followed the assigned scuba diving guide.
We dove down to approximately 60 feet, followed our guide around through the different “canyon” type areas. And then, I noticed that there was a significant drop-off to our left. I tapped one of my buddies on the arm, pointed to the wall and the drop-off, and we began to dive down. This was our chance to dive at our max depth as advanced divers, 120 feet. So, with our heads down we hit 80 feet. 90 feet. 100 feet! The wall was crazy. Below us was complete darkness. 115 feet! And then, we both heard a quiet, “tink, tink, tink” sound. 118 feet! The “tink tink tink” sound was getting louder and faster… tinktinktinktinktink!
We look up, as our guide is tink tink tinking her way to us. She points at us, points to our group and then points to her side. You see, even though we were certified to dive to a depth of 120 feet, she didn’t give us permission to go out on our own. She was leading the way. She had a plan, the plan, for a successful dive. And that plan didn’t include two knuckleheads diving off into the deep unknown by ourselves. Her job was to guide us, and it was our job to trust and follow her.
While the Israelites weren’t out scuba diving off the coast of Cozumel, they too had a Guide. Check this out:
In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out – until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels. – Exodus 40:36-38
If we look at the life of the Israelites during this time, one thing will ring true throughout… as long as the Israelites kept their focus on the Lord, they lived within hope, joy and peace. But when they began to rely on anything other than the Lord, their lives fell apart. And just as the Israelites relied on God’s presence and guidance through this cloud and fire, there are lessons from their journey that we all can apply so that we too can live a life of trust, obedience and awareness of God’s constant presence in our world.
First, wait for God’s timing and guidance.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Just as the Israelites waited for the cloud to lift before moving, we can practice patience and discernment in our decisions as well. Before making significant decisions, take time to pray and seek God’s will through Scripture and wise counsel. Avoid rushing into choices based on emotions or pressure. And as you do that, take time to journal your prayers, your concerns, and your decisions. Tracking how God provides guidance over time can strengthen your faith as you walk in His timing. And so we practice patience in our decision making.
Secondly, take time to recognize God’s presence in all seasons of life.
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
This cloud and fire represented God’s constant presence with the Israelites. And the same is true for you and I. He is with us in both the day of clarity, and the night of uncertainty. Spend time in His Word every day. Spend time with Him through prayer. As you do, He will remind you of His promises as you meditate on His faithfulness as He holds you up even within uncertainty. And as you do this, you’ll be able to see all the ways you’ve seen God’s hand in your life whether it’s been through blessings, answered prayer or lessons you’ve learned through hard times. As you recognize God’s presence, He’ll develop a heart of gratitude within you.
Third, follow God with your obedience to Him.
“How joyful are those who fear the Lord – all who follow His ways.” – Psalm 128:1
The Israelites moved only when the cloud lifted and moved. They didn’t want to go anywhere where God’s presence wasn’t with them. And we can practice this obedience in our lives as we practice trusting and obeying God even when His instructions challenge our plans or timing. Even though it might be difficult, identify one area of your life where God might be calling you to obedience. Maybe it’s forgiving someone. Or maybe God is calling you to serve in some aspect of your life. Maybe it’s in the area of generosity. Or maybe, He’s calling you to ask for forgiveness from someone. Or maybe, you’ve never given your life to Jesus, repenting from your sin, asking Him to be the Lord of your life. Whatever God is asking of you, no matter how difficult it might seem, He's asking for your obedience. And because He’s asking for your obedience, He’s promised to go with you through His Spirit as you follow Him.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” – John 14:16-17
And as your obedience to the Lord increases, share your journey with your friends who can either encourage you to keep going, or you can encourage them to begin their faith journey with Jesus.
My prayer for you is that you develop a life of obedience to the Lord as you follow Jesus. And as you do, that you recognize God’s presence in your life in both the clarity of the day and the uncertainty of the night. And that you continually depend upon God for guidance as you wait on the Lord. Peace.
“Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place.” – Exodus 33:15