Fear and faith are two universal issues in life. To one
degree or another, we all encounter them. Yet, for most of us, it’s probably a
safe bet to say we feel fear is the more acutely experienced situation. It’s
often easier, it seems, to “feel” fear rather than to “feel” faith, isn’t it?
Yet, each of
us, according to scripture, has the capacity for faith:
"For by the grace given me I say to every one
of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think
of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God
has given you."
However, we,
all too often, experience our capacity for feelings. And those pesky feelings
can often go in the wrong direction for us. Those feelings have us pursuing
negative faith stuff, not necessarily faith in God stuff.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the
Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Indeed, God
has some differing thoughts…
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my
ways, says the Lord. For as the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My
thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
The problem
is not God’s thoughts; it’s ours (what a shock). That’s where the fear comes
in, the negative faith which tries to convince us doom and destruction are the
only things headed our way. The often used acronym for fear goes as follows: False
Evidence Appearing Real. Ever hear that?
Yes, indeed,
Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s our own creative imagination that runs amok with
worst case scenarios and fuels our fears and phobias. But again, God has a
different perspective…
"Don't be afraid; just believe."
Mark 5:36
“Behold, I am the Lord,
the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”
Jeremiah 32:27
Do we really
believe God can handle our lives? Do we really believe He’s bigger than any
fear or threat? The ideal response is “yes,” but what’s our actual response,
more often than not?
No, our
wonderful imaginations are bigger.
Yet, once
again, God offers us a solution…
“Casting down
imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge
of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5
It’s about
the final, bottom line. Is it God? Or is it an imagination, disguised as a lie,
a fear or a worst case scenario? We all need work in this department. Faith is
an ongoing, work in progress kind of thing. It isn’t about a one-time perfect
result. It’s daily, like breathing.
It’s our
response to God and His Word. Is it “amen” or is it an argumentative, “But,
but, but?”
The choice
is up to us. However, regardless of that choice, God is still an amazing,
powerful and loving God.
Imagine
that!!!
Copyright © 2016 by
Sheryle Cruse
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