I’d like to talk with you about a problem. I’ll see you in my office first thing Monday morning.
Ever gotten an email like this? On Friday afternoon at five, when the whole weekend stretches before you, and there’s nothing you can do except fret?
Or how about a voice mail like this one: “Hello Mrs. Gooding, this is Dr. Simpson. I just got the results of Fluffy’s pathology report. Unfortunately, it’s not good. The office is closed for the weekend, but call me first thing Monday, and we’ll discuss your options.” Two days to wait with nothing to do but worry and cry.
When was the last time you were afraid?
Afraid you’d lose your job, your health, your home, your loved one? Afraid of punishment or persecution, poverty, or pain? When have you faced an agonizing wait—for a diagnosis, a deliverance, a breakthrough, or a rescue?
Sometimes God Allows Uncertainty
Sometimes God allows uncertainty into our lives to test us. He tested Abraham, and he tested Job. He tested the Israelites in the wilderness:
“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands” (Deuteronomy 8:2).
But unlike the statement above, “. . . there’s nothing you can do except fret,” there is something else we can do. Every fearful situation leaves us with two choices.
Two Choices
We can respond in fear, or we can respond in faith.
When we respond in fear, we torment ourselves with every possible scenario—all horrible. We can’t sleep, we can’t eat (or we overeat), and we can’t concentrate on anything but IT. Scary thoughts consume every waking moment. What if . . . ? What if . . . ? What if . . . ?
If we’re Christians, our all-consuming worry makes a mockery of everything we say we believe. Our mouths say, “I believe God’s promises,” but our actions say, I believe God’s promises only when everything’s going well.
- When we respond in faith, we command fear instead of allowing fear to command us.
- When fear wraps our necks in a suffocating choke hold, we whisper the promises of God.
- When fear screams lies into our souls, we shout back truth in the name of Jesus.
- When fear pounds us with what-ifs and whys, we fight back with “Fear not, for I . . .”
When We Respond in Faith
When we respond in faith, we choose to believe what God says instead of what our circumstances tell us. We rein in our thoughts and make them captive to the obedience of Christ. We refuse to ride the worry train to its miserable destination.
If you’re experiencing a frightening situation right now, God may be testing you to see what is in your heart and to see if you will obey his commands. Contrary to what you may think, you have two choices—faith or fear. Which is it going to be?
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isa. 43:1-3
What about you? Which choice usually wins when you encounter something scary? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
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Thank you so much for this reminder to CHOOSE faith over fear. I loved how you brought in the Israelites. I think sometimes when we are trapped in a “fear attack” with worry and anxiety, it is easy to just feel held hostage like you said. But we need to remember who God is and speak back to it with the word of God and his promises. I really needed to read that this morning. Thank you for this post and God bless 🙂
Amen, Tana. I constantly have to remind myself that if I keep my eyes on my circumstances, I’ll remain fearful. But if I keep my eyes on the Lord, I can move forward with faith and trust. May God make us BRAVE in Him today!
Such a blessing to read your encouraging and inspiring words this morning Ms. Lori. Thank you and God’s blessings gentle friend. It’s a journey we don’t walk alone, as you point out. God can take away our fear, but He never says we won’t experience it. Isn’t it amazing how many times God reminds us in His Word to not be afraid. You’d think we’d listen.
Oh, J.D., we’re so prone to spiritual amnesia. God delivers us again and again, but as soon as the next rustle of trouble reaches our ears, we panic as if we’re abandoned orphans. Lord, we believe. Help our unbelief!
I tell myself I live without fear, and for the most part I do. However, just this week God pointed out a worry that creeps into my mind and takes me down a dark path exploring actions I might take to control or manipulate the potential threat. Your post inspires me to double-down my trust in Him. He’s never failed me yet.
I understand completely, Candyce. I experience the same thing. I really have to fight to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Most days I win, but it is a battle. Blessings to you, my friend.
Fear is something we all battle and have since the Garden of Eden. That must be why God tells us so many times to “fear not.” It is when we rely solely on His Word and let our faith overcome the fears that attack us that we are victorious. Thanks for sharing this much needed post.