Faith versus Fear

This topic on faith versus fear has been appearing on my radar for weeks – from one sermon to another church sermon, to another, from one reading to another. For a good reason too. I’ve been asking about a decision, and my fear has clouded my faith so much that I became very double minded.

Back in my early twenties, it was easier to take a radical step of faith when only my future was in question. Now, my decision would affect other people’s lives, aka my children’s. Rationally, there’s no reason for me to risk the status quo and cross the red sea. Spiritually, God wants to open up the Red Sea for me to cross.

I asked God why, and He answered during my retreat. And the devotional yesterday reminded me of it again. What we think is good now is limited by what we know and see. But is it really good? Perhaps there’s an army chasing us. God sees more than we see. God sees the future further than we do. If I believe He loves and cares for us, I would believe He wants the best for us. What’s more, I am just a steward of my children. God is the ultimate Father who has a plan and a future laid out for them, a plan better than I have.

As Rev Clement shared in his sermon (edited for clarity), “God, the author is very clear, but they did not know. Ruth did not know where she was going. Naomi did not know which field she would end up in. But God knew. Boaz already exists in the story before Ruth ever meets him. Ruth wasn’t trying to control any outcome. She’s simply taking the next faithful step. Living faithfully means taking the next faithful step in the field that God has given us.“

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Matthew 17:20 (NKJV)

Then I realised, like a mustard seed of faith that can grow in its power to move mountains, a small seed of fear can grow into weeds and choke out our faith. There’s an anonymous quote, “Seeds of doubt grow into forests of inaction.” This forest of inaction will paralyse the step of faith you need to take.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV)

With faith, fear doesn’t have room to grow. Many times in the Bible, God told His people, “Do not be afraid”. He knows fear muscles its way into our hearts, but do we dwell on it? Or do weed it out so that our seed of faith can grow and bloom into a big mustard tree?

Are you watering your seed of faith and weeding out the seed of fear?

Get updates on new posts and other happenings on Telegram, Instagram or Facebook. You can also subscribe to get email notifications of new posts. If you like what you read here, keep it going by purchasing the merchandise. 🙂

Disclaimer: Shema-Rhema.com and its authors accept no liability (whether in tort or contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any use, misuse, inaccuracy or omission of the information or other contents published on this website.