Faith-vs-Fear

How Fearful do we have to be to forget about being Faithful?

The observations and personal experiences I’ve had tell me I don’t have to be extremely fearful to have a momentary lapse in judgment and forget my faith. It happens to all of us. Usually, it sneaks upon us and we don’t see it coming. Then, in my case, I feel foolish for forgetting in the first place.

Faith is something we choose. It reveals our need in a moment of intentional clarity. On occasion it hits hard, taking the breath from us when we realize our mistake was getting caught up in impossible-without-God circumstances. Just like we don’t know what we don’t know, we sometimes don’t realize how fearful we are.

Being fearful is typically derived from something we feel is tangible. We can see the results of medical exams. We can see the results of domestic violence. We can see the results of the latest political drama, the latest virus, the latest (insert the latest fear factor here). We see these things which are primarily out of our control, and we immediately become fearful.

So the question becomes, how do we prevent this from happening?

The first thing I try to do- I have not perfected, but try to be intentional about, is to pray. When I feel the anxiety filling up in my head, I try to focus on what I know.

For certain I know Jesus is the Way, The Truth, and The Life. The one path. The only Redeemer. The only Son of God. My only Savior.

For certain I know Scripture is God-breathed. Written with me in mind. Written to encourage, direct and soothe me. Written intentionally as a guide for my life and what I stand for.

For certain I know I cannot change most of the stressful things which cause me fear, but I can overcome them. I can choose to be faithful in the things I know, and move past the things which bring me fear.

For certain I can turn to a verse which brings me much clarity and comfort.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

At the end of the day, I pray before I sleep. I pray over my entire mental list. My faith, my husband, my children, thierchildren and everything falls into place after that. Then I pray for rest, so I can get up the next day and start over afin- more faithful than fearful.

XOXO