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“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1
For some faith is like walking a tight rope with no safety net. Every step is calculated. Every step is a reminder that one slip and injury or death is certain. Faith becomes a walk of fear!
For others, Faith is like walking in the dark in unfamiliar territory. Each step carries questions. “Am I going the right way?” “Is there danger around the next corner?” “Will I make it through this?” Faith becomes a walk of caution.
Faith can also be like walking on ice. Like walking a tight rope, every step is calculated. Tiny steps are in order to keep from losing your balance. Unlike the tightrope walking on ice leaves you uncertain with every step. Some ice is easy to navigate. While with other ice It is impossible to get a firm grip. The problem is, often times you can’t tell the difference until it’s too late.
Faith can also be like a rocky path. You can see what’s ahead of you. It’s relatively easy to navigate as long as you go slowly. But often times, a rocky path is exhausting. With each step you face one more obstacle, one more question, one more decision about how to proceed.
The ultimate irony, is that in each of these situations your faith is strengthened when you realize that you’re not alone. True faith is only scary when you must travel those routes without any guidance.
That’s where faith in Jesus comes in. It’s easier to go through the struggles of life when we realize that they were sent for a purpose by loving God whose intent is not to destroy us but strengthen us, to lift us up not discourage us, to show us his love and not to abandon us.
Faith in Jesus brings confidence not concern, courage not fear.
We live in a time of unprecedented hate, anger, and violence. Sometimes our smallest comments or actions seem to incite anger in the people around us. During these times we need to be reminded of the great love of God the father has for us.
Society tends place value on us according to a certain political persuasion, our race, or our beliefs and opinions. But in God‘s kingdom, love that is based on the external isn’t love it all.
Love at any level is a decision, a choice. God choice to love us isn’t based on who we are but on who he is. God‘s love for us isn’t based not on what we do, but on what he does through his son Jesus Christ. God‘s love isn’t based on our faithfulness to him, but on his unconditional, unwavering faithfulness .
Human love can change over time. God’s love and never changes for us! His love for us sustains us in the darkest of times.
People may not understand us. Those closest to us can often try to ‘fix us’ when all we want is a listening ear and a hug.
True love guides us, protects us, encourages us and lifts us up. Gods love for you comes with his full awareness and understanding of your pain. He literally feels the pain you feel. No one else can do that no matter how hard they may try.
So today, celebrate you! Celebrate the fact that you ARE loved unconditionally by one who never changes. His love for you is new everyday.
You can come to him with every burden. You can come to him with your shame. You can come to him with your fear. He is always there, willing to listen and able to encourage you.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?” Psalms 27:1
Fear is one of the most paralyzing tools of the enemy. He uses it to keep our eyes off of God and on our problems. Fear is almost always focused on the future and the unknown. Even if your fear is based on something from your past, the fear concerns the consequences of your actions.
From a human perspective, the level of fear we have is based on our ability to handle what’s coming. If we know we have the knowledge and resources to handle what’s ahead, our fear is minimal. But when the unknown faces us, and we aren’t sure we have the resources to tackle the challenge fear takes over.
Fear can keep us awake at night. Fear can take away our appetite. Fear can destroy relationships. Fear can kill you! The saying “scared to death” can actually be a reality!
Fear is often synonymous with darkness and danger. The Psalmist writes that “God is our light…” The smallest light amount of light can penetrate the deepest darkness. You don’t need a large amount of light to see your way through the darkness. You don’t need a large amount of faith in Jesus to see your way into the unknown.
If you can allow God‘s light to shine on your fears, he will, through the power of his Holy Spirit that lives within you, give you his peace that passes understanding. He’s given us his Spirit of power, not fear so you can face the future knowing you have the resources you need to overcome.
He is your light. He is your fortress. He alone is your salvation.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 