Tag: fear vs faith

Overcoming Fear

~ servantone1 ~ 1 Comment

JESUS SPEAKING

  ’On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.“ Now when they had left the multitude, they took him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!“ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?“ And they feared exceedingly and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”‘ (Mark 4: 35 – 41)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

  Faith is the amount of trust or confidence we place in someone or something. And so, the presence of fear indicates the absence of faith (and vice versa.) We read that when the storm arose, the disciples were afraid they were going to die. In desperation, they turned to the only individual they believed could help. When Jesus awoke from His slumber, He stood up and calmed the wind and the waves; displaying a mastery over nature itself. He then rebuked His disciples for their fear and subsequent lack of faith.

  Concerning the devastating nature of fear, a Japanese soldier named Shoichi Yokoi once lived in a cave on the island of Guam, to which he fled in 1944 when it became clear that the Japanese were going to lose the war. Fearing for his life, the man stayed hidden for twenty-eight years in the jungle. During his time alone, he ate frogs, rats, snails, shrimp, and mangoes. He carried around a pair of trousers and a jacket he’d made from the bark of a tree. He knew the war had ended because of the leaflets that were dropped throughout the jungle. And yet he was afraid he’d be executed if he emerged. Eventually, two hunters happened by and explained to him that he need not hide any longer. At last he was free. After acquiring a decent pair clothes and some food, he was taken by plane to his home.

  In much the same way, fear can cause unbelievable devastation and suffering in a person’s life. Those who are fearful can be driven into isolation, desperation, and destruction. Yet there is a weapon that can destroy fear and permit people to move forward; that weapon is faith. Only faith in God and trust in His power can eradicate fear and doubt. Our trust in God can give us a mastery over our fears; allowing us to remain calm and know peace, even in the midst of a storm. May all of our fears be destroyed by our faith in Jesus Christ.

  ”Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to experience greater faith and to overcome all of our fears. Give us more of Your Holy Spirit, that we may comprehend the awesome power You wield over all creation. For You, nothing is impossible. May we know this truth in our hearts and fully place our faith in You. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Stop Worrying

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

    “Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?  So why do you worry about clothing?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore, do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For after all these things the gentiles seek.  For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Mathew 6: 25 – 32.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

    God is a Father, and like any good Father, He provides for the needs of His children.  Fear is the result of a lack of trust in God’s abilities.  Birds are just one example of an animal that never worries; they gather no seed nor strive to possess more than they can use.  Instead they rely upon their creator to provide for their daily needs.  As believers we must be of a similar mind.  Worrying is counterproductive; therefore Jesus has commanded every believer to stop worrying and start trusting.

    Although worrying has been around for thousands of years, it has only recently been studied scientifically; and most modern-day inquiries have yielded some surprising results.  Worrying has been found to a break down the immune system; causing many to succumb to colds and infections. Worrying can also produce:  high blood pressure, upset stomach, ulcers, acid reflux, heart palpitations, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, panic attacks, cardiovascular problems, increased blood sugar levels, irritable bowel difficulties, backaches, tension headaches, migraines, sleep problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory difficulties, worsening of skin conditions such as eczema, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, depression, rashes, shingles, hot flashes, twitching, lethargy, sweating, heart attacks, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, irritability, etc.  The list of physical and mental ailments linked to worrying seems endless.

    In fact, worrying is so detrimental, that the Lord has ordered every follower to abandon their fears and embrace faith.  Trusting in God is our divine duty; a mandate from Jesus Christ himself.  He alone is our provider and protector.  May we never forget that God loves us and lives within our hearts.  May we seek Him at every turn, and tirelessly submit ourselves to His care and affection.

    Lord Heavenly Father, set us free from fear; that we may stop worrying and start trusting in Your complete provision.  Clothe us, feed us, love us, and receive us.  Be our Father that we might also be Your children.  We love You Lord, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.”  God bless all of you!