Live in Fear or Live in Faith
Live in fear or live in faith is a conflict we face on a daily basis because of who we are and how we were created. We choose the way we want to live. Despite the results of living in fear, people seem to be good at it – perhaps even using it to their advantage. But, this wasn’t God’s inent. To live a happy life, we must overcome fear with faith.
Fear is a natural emotion that keeps us alive and should be utilized only as needed. We are smart enough to know when to be afraid. But, many of us seem to forget that.
Besides being afraid for legitimate reasons, we create our own fear by anticipating the worst, worrying, having a negative attitude, and talking more negatively than positively.
Others Create Fear for Us
Other people also create fear for us. Marketing strategies instill fear in us, so we’ll buy certain products to feel better. Parental and peer pressures cause us to fear we aren’t good enough. Social media can incite fear at multiple levels. And, (drum roll, please) the news media is an excellent source of fear and confusion.
The Thief
When we live in fear, it steals our peace, kills our joy, and destroys our relationships. “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.” (John 10:10) Fear in excess is that thief. Therefore, when we create fear for ourselves and succumb to the fear-mongering media, we rob ourselves. And, just like punishment for a thief, we become imprisoned. Fear overload causes anxiety, depression, anger, isolation, and more fear. It is a brutal living condition.
Fear’s Antidote
The antidote for fear is faith, which means complete confidence and trust. The remedy for all fear is faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself so that we are set free. God wants us to live a fear-less and faith-filled life so we can experience joy, peace, love, freedom, satisfaction, and contentment. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” “They” means all of us.
We can only live life to the full through faith in Christ. Faith comes from acceptance and trust in God. Acceptance and trust in God come from knowing the truth. And, the truth comes from knowledge of God’s Word.
Faith and Trust
Faith and trust are not frivolous emotions. Like God, the “I am.” Faith and trust are. We either have them, or we don’t. Freewill gives us that choice, but fear denies us of their presence. Faith and requires strength, discipline, and commitment. Trust parallels truth.
Truth requires mindfulness (thought and intuition). We cannot feel our way to the truth. In fact, our feelings often distort the truth. God gave us thinking brains so we can learn, understand, and know – so we can discern what is true and what isn’t.
Truth and Faith Overcome Fear
Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.” Paul writes, “Therefore, faith is from hearing, and hearing is through the Word of Christ.” Break free from the confines of fear. Think things through, listen to your mind and heart, gather the right information, and follow God’s Word.