“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31
Believing in God begins with a faith like a small seedling. It takes time for our souls to grow in trust and love for the Lord. It seems that loving him is easy, but what about trust? Living in this world we are constantly being let down, hurt, or deceived. Evil lurks at every corner and darkness has consumed our light…but in reality this is not true. God is still in control; he is always in control. He waits for the right moment- the exact moment. He is always with us, through every trial, every hurt, God is present. If we could trust him we could be Fearless, and with that gift of peace we could find a deeper connection with our creator.
America’s Pastor, Max Lucado, addresses the issue of fear and timidity in his book, Fearless. It seems that our knee jerk reaction to calamity is fear. We dread situations in which we lose all control, for we doubt God’s goodness. We wonder if he is really there and if he truly cares. We aren’t alone in this. Even the men in close proximity to our living God doubted his goodness.
They do not ask about Jesus’ strength: “Can you still the storm?” His knowledge: “Are you aware of the storm?” Or his know-how: “Do you have any experience with storms?” But rather, they raise doubts about Jesus’ character. “Do you not care…?” –Fearless
This passage describing the disciples of Jesus is not unlike many of his followers today. When a storm arises in our lives, many of us hunker down, and try to wait it out alone! We feel that God is standing idly by, watching his children suffer. We doubt his good intentions for us, we doubt his strength, and we underestimate his absolute love. If we could just trust in the Lord, really trust in his goodness, his ability, and his strength, we would find peace in all situations. A trial turns to a testament, and God reveals his strength to you in those moments that you are wholly unequipped to cope.
Our father is just that, a father. He wishes us no pain, no fear, no regret. He does not want us to live our lives trapped in the shackles of anxiety. He only hopes for us to look to him every time. Our free will means that we have the opportunity to ask God for his help. If we can believe in his promises and look to him, he will grant us with peace, love, and grace in a world that has very, very little.
“Fear never wrote a symphony or poem, negotiated a peace treaty, or cured a disease. Fear never pulled a family out of poverty or a country out of bigotry. Fear never saved a marriage or a business. Courage did that. Faith did that. People who refused to consult or cower to their timidities did that. But fear itself? Fear herds us into a prison of unlocked doors.” -Fearless
I dare you to ask God to free you from your prison of fear, and embrace the peace he is offering to you!
***Check out Max Lucado’s book, Fearless, for some excellent inspiration, or catch him at a speaking event like the Inspiration Cruise Alaska! http://www.inspirationcruises.com/
