Fighting our Fears with Faith

How refreshing to be in the word, to be challenged, to be encouraged. How relieving to know that we CANT handle it all on our own! I have been challenged lately to give up a bit of my independence and allow people to help me out. I have been on my own for the most part since 2000 and completely "cut off" and independent for the last 5 years. In that time, I have lived life to the full, traveling in the states and even to Germany, bought a home, and even saved a bit. I have held a job (which I love) I have started a business (although I have not given my 100% to marketing the service) and I have maintained a social life to a small degree, due to the above mentioned. :) However in the past month and a half I have had to learn to let others help me again. I have needed rides and encouragement. I have needed support and advice. And my independence has faltered the ease of this new found need.

In relearning my limits and humbly accepting aid, I realize our faith is much the same. We stand on our own two feet and expect our faith to be strong and enduring, however we constantly face moments in which our faith depletes and our hearts fear the outcome of the treaded ground that fails those feet. It is faith itself that dispels fear. It is God and the genuine encouragement of others that build that faith. Our fears are viable regardless of the insanity of them. We cannot turn on or turn off that which brings fear to mind, no more than we can possess the faith to conquer our fears without tapping into a knowledge that builds it.

People fear all sorts of things. From monsters under the bed, deep ocean waters, or miscarriages, to being a suitable husband mother or friend we all have fears. But faith is what allows children to trust their parents when they say they are safe. Faith is what causes a childless couple to try just one more time. Faith gives a parent the courage to wake up and attempt to be the best mom or dad for their child. Faith gives us the breath to keep going and the vision of hope for a desired outcome. Faith doesnt leave you with notion, it leaves you with vision.

I have seen my sister and brother in law face both infertility and miscarriage head on with more faith than I ever gave them credit for. I have seen their faith grow through their relationship, through the miracle of having Ava, and I have seen their hope endure through every tear. Their faith resounds as their new bundle of joy grows and with every new moment with my little niece. Even with new challenges, their faith is what I see, never their fear! I know they fear. I know those fears are inevitable, but I also know that God has given them a vision through their growing faith that allows them to see the potential of the that fear, rather than a worse case scenario. :)

I have seen a man who as faced with a divorce has a daughter he is left to provide stability and hope for. A man who wonders if he is able, who fears he cant do enough. A man who longs to shield her from the repercussions. But whose faith enables him to do all such things. A faith that allows him to exceed his own limitation. And I see that every time his daughter smiles. I see it every time he reaches the end of another day and his little girl knows she is loved.

I have friends who have lossed loved ones, family members who have faced disease, I have seen faith in so many lives, and those people ... when they reach out with even a ounce of encouragement or aid, my faith grows, my faith gives way to vision. My mind can comprehend more than my flesh can visualize. Those men and women of faith stand for more than just their own accomplishments, they stand to encourage others to do the same, to know that every difficult circumstance offers another opportunity to live beyond the limitation and expect more. Expect blessings and provisions.

In church today, we were reminded of the little boy with his small meal and the 5000 hungry people. He had limitations far exceeding ours and yet the faith of the disciples allowed a beautiful display of provision. We should expect nothing less!

Expect blessings. And know that your faith can strengthen others as well as yourself!

So when hard times face you, ask yourself, do you wear your fear on your sleeve or do you allow your faith to resound?