Five Reasons to Choose Faith Over Fear - Serenity in Suffering
A familiar verse to most Christians, in 2 Corinthians 5:7, the Apostle Paul reminds us we walk by faith, not by sight; but on any given day the converse proves true. A recent self inventory revealed many of my actions resulted from an attitude of thorough calculation rather than stepping out in faith. Uneasy with the implication my actions thus spoke fear, I set out on a journey of discovering why I chose fear over faith. My search disclosed the extent my fear fed my anxiety and resulted in five reasons to choose faith over fear.
Among the realizations impacting me the most, was facing while I indeed had faith in God, I had no faith in His sovereignty. Trusting Him with my eternal salvation on one hand, I failed in trusting Him meeting my daily needs or directing my paths. Upon reflection, this attitude extended to a no confidence vote when it came to world events, personal crises or the welfare of my loved ones. Somehow I relegated God to the Heavenly business and the rest? Well, I managed those state of affairs on my own.
We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.
C.S. Lewis
Fear, the root of all anxiety?
As with most blanket statements, we simply cannot wrap up anxiety in one word and call it a day. Fear, without controversy does contribute to anxiety. But anxiety is a plumbless well of complicated origins best left to the experts. For this post, my reference to anxiety focuses on the every day worries, concerns and preoccupations stealing our peace and undermining our implicit trust in God’s sovereignty. All of which, when probed in my life found fear at the core.
We often associate fear with phobias, “fear of heights”, “fear of snakes” or “fear of closed in spaces”. A decidedly nuanced word, fear evokes a full emotional array from apprehension to terror. Largely, my fear-based decision process found its basis in uncertainty or apprehension not terror. Further, it gave me a false impression I controlled outcomes. In actuality, I neither controlled outcomes nor honored God in choosing fear over faith. Sorting through five reasons to choose faith over fear, helped me understand in doing so, I actually worshipped God in the process.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
five reasons to choose faith over fear
Stumbling across this little verse in the middle of Luke 12, I paused struck by the word “fear” and the picture it evoked of Jesus speaking to “His little flock”. Resting with the words of this verse while simultaneously reading Psalm 23, gently spoke words of life into my soul. Unfolding a perspective of faith over fear missing from my own view. Choosing faith over fear honors God and is a form of worship displaying complete trust in His ways, demonstrating we believe He is good in all His dealings with us.
- First, choosing faith over fear exhibits our love for God as our Shepherd; “Fear not, little flock.” A shepherd protects and provides for his sheep. In John 10, Jesus tell us “He is the Good Shepherd” and “His sheep know Him and follow Him”. He cares for His sheep, just as we see also in Psalm 23:1. If God is our treasured Shepherd, He supplies every need and we shall lack nothing.
- Second, choosing faith over fear demonstrates our love for God as our Father; “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” A father loves, protects, provides, and guides. Receiving the Spirit of adoption, we stand before God as His children. (Romans 8:15)He is our Good Father whose love casts out fear.
- Third, choosing faith over fear proclaims we love God as King; “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” A king represents power, sovereignty and wealth. Only a true King bestows His kingdom upon His heirs. (Psalm 47:7)
- Fourth, choosing faith over fear magnifies God’s generosity and goodness. Notice, He gives the kingdom. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” The earth is His and the fullness thereof; He requires nothing from us. (Psalm 50:9-12) yet He is generous to us; providing for us out of the riches of His glory.
- Fifth, choosing faith over fear confirms our trust in God’s delight in us as His children; “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” He both delights in us and delights doing for us. (Isaiah 62:3-5)
choosing faith over fear is an act of worship
When I choose fear over faith, essentially, I betray my heart’s lie of mistrust in God’s good care for me, preferring instead the false illusion of my controlled outcomes. The root of my fear sat embedded in the lie my choices could prevent suffering, which I attached to God’s way for me. Based in lies, my fear became a tool of the enemy continually pointing to past suffering, portraying God as the perpetrator of my suffering in a totally unfavorable light. While I foolishly pursued protecting myself, I ultimately lived fear-driven, forsaking faith and dishonoring God.
Reflecting back on Luke 12:32, treasuring God as my Shepherd and Father and King I proclaim His generosity and delight in giving me the kingdom of God. I demonstrate implicit trust in His goodness, love and provision, acknowledging in His gift of the Kingdom, He bestows upon me, heaven, eternal life and joy, and everything I need to get there. Within my submission in trust, rests obedience and worship fully delighting my God.
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