Faith Over Fear
A few weeks ago, my friends and I were talking about safety and fear. One friend shared how she is always prepared for a disaster. She’s thinking through safety protocols, searching for emergency exits, and just waiting for disaster to strike. That is definitely not me. I wouldn’t say I’m careless, but I definitely am not consumed by this fear. However, if you could see my thoughts, you might realize that I’m much more controlled by fear than I’d care to admit.
I find that when hard days come my mind starts racing. I can think of lots of times where I have let fear take control. I lived in my own fearful fairytale of what-ifs. Usually in these moments, my sweet husband will tell me to stop trying to figure it all out, take it day by day, and instead remember what I do know. This usually sends me straight to the Word.
All throughout the Old Testament, God tells the Israelites to recount where they have been and all of the things He has done for them. He never wanted them to lose sight of His promises and faithfulness. In Joshua chapter 4, The LORD tells the people to build an altar with memorial stones from the Jordan River. God wanted the people to remember that His power parted the water and allowed them to step out in faith on dry land. In Exodus 13, God established the Passover as a way for the people to remember how God brought them safely out of Egypt. “In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘By the strength of his hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the place of slavery” (Exodus 13:14). I feel like God wants us to do the same thing. He wants us to look back on our lives, the lives of our loved ones, and the words of the Bible, and recount all He has done. When we take time to remember, it moves us from a place of fear to moving in faith.
Just like the Israelites, I can look back on my life and remember the times where God kept His promises. I remember times where I was wrought with doubt and fear, yet God carried me through. I can point to several key times in the midst of hardships where God shook me up and said, "Hey, remember me. Quit trying to figure all of this out. Quit worrying about the unknown, and instead trust me and glorify me today."
Years ago in the midst of a very challenging situation, I was spiraling. The Lord brought a friend to me and he reminded me of 2 Timothy 1:7 when I needed it most, “God does not give us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” The fear that was consuming me was not from God. My friend encouraged me to instead look back and recount my memorial stones and turn my focus to God and not my fears. From that day forward I knew I could not let fear control me. I could not stay awake at night scared and dreaming of the "what ifs". I could only ask for wisdom and guidance and pray that I would glorify God no matter what happened next. It was a major turning point for me. I wish I could say that since that day, I’ve never been crippled by fear again. But I will say that since that day, I’m more likely to not linger in fear.
I don't know what you fear. Maybe it's failure, rejection, ridicule. Perhaps it's financial ruin, the future of your children, losing your job. Maybe it's your marriage, your health, or giving up control. Don't let your fear rob you of your peace. Don't let fear keep you from living out your faith. Walk back through your life and the times God has proven Himself to you. Go through the Bible and see God keep promise after promise and continually deliver His people. Set aside your fear and walk in faith.
Melissa Busby leads the ministry wives support network for the BCNE and serves in the women’s, youth, and children’s ministries at South Shore Baptist Church in Hingham, MA, where her husband serves as senior pastor.
