Fear is one of those emotions that sneaks up on us. We don’t choose to feel it; it comes naturally. However, we CAN choose NOT to fear. That's why there are so many passages in the Bible that command us to not be afraid. God wants us to have faith in Him. This faith overcomes fear.
Like the disciples on the boat with Jesus during the storm. Have you ever wondered what would’ve happened if the disciples had not woken up Jesus? Would the boat have keeled over? Could some of them been washed overboard? Was Jesus just sleeping, subconsciously waiting for them to wake Him and ask for help? Maybe the biggest problem was that they stayed afraid after calling out to Him.
Choose faith – but what is faith? When my husband was having a heart attack in the ER, I could have succumbed to fear. In that moment, the battle of emotions raged beneath the surface of my calm exterior. Whether I consciously realized it or not, I could choose - choose to fear life without my husband, or choose faith in God and His goodness.
Like the disciples on the boat with Jesus during the storm. Have you ever wondered what would’ve happened if the disciples had not woken up Jesus? Would the boat have keeled over? Could some of them been washed overboard? Was Jesus just sleeping, subconsciously waiting for them to wake Him and ask for help? Maybe the biggest problem was that they stayed afraid after calling out to Him.
Choose faith – but what is faith? When my husband was having a heart attack in the ER, I could have succumbed to fear. In that moment, the battle of emotions raged beneath the surface of my calm exterior. Whether I consciously realized it or not, I could choose - choose to fear life without my husband, or choose faith in God and His goodness.
But what does that kind of faith in God mean? It doesn’t mean the kind of faith that declares God was going to heal him, the kind of faith where all I had to do was name it and claim it. It was the kind of faith that trusts Him to carry me through, whatever the outcome, knowing that no matter what happened none of it took Him by surprise. It was faith in His goodness even if it wasn’t obvious in the moment of my circumstances.
Maybe it’s easy to say since God has given me more time with Him. When the day comes that we must part from each other on this earth, I pray God will give the strength, grace, and endurance to finish the race with faith in God’s goodness not only intact but firmly believed with every fiber of my being.
Where there is faith, there is no room for fear.
I have never been a big advocate of the "name it, claim it" philosophy. I like it, and think there may be times when it can happen, but, God's will and purposes are bigger than the personal desires and goals we 'name.' Your point about your husbands heart attack and your feelings are so true - we can trust that God will see us through, no matter what. That was the faith Jesus had, and it got him through the pain of the cross, three days of separation, and then to his reunion with his Father at the ascension. That is the faith that prevails. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI pray God will give the strength, grace, and endurance to finish the race with faith in God’s goodness not only intact but firmly believed with every fiber of my being..............
ReplyDeleteThis is a good prayer