Am I Living By Faith or By Fear?
Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. #quote Martin Luther King
Recently I finished a Bible Study Habakkuk by Moody Publishers by Dannah Gresh. At the same time I read a You Version Bible Plan Hope in the Dark by Craig Groeschel which also followed in the book of Habakkuk. I didn’t realize the plan would be about Habakkuk as well, but how amazing when God orchestrates His plans.
The book of Habakkuk is in the Old Testament and only three chapters long, but it is packed full of godliness and wisdom. Each chapter has an important pattern of ask questions to God, WAIT, and Praise. The chapter starts out with Habakkuk crying out to God, asking why all the violence, all the iniquity, injustice (Habakkuk 1:2-5)?
God responds-
This study was so timely for me. I’ve been working in the COVID ICU’s taking care of very sick patients. I wouldn’t wish what I do or see on anyone. All of it is so heavy and hard to watch over and over. I feel like Habakkuk, looking around seeing all the suffering, the injustice, and loss of life at the hands of a violence but in my case a virus. I can just picture him on his knees before God crying out, ‘how,’ ‘why,’ ‘when?’ It’s hard at times not to focus on the fear of it all, am I next? Am I exposing others? How many more will suffer? When will this all end?
It can be difficult to see that God will use all of this pain and devastation for His greater work in us and the nations. It’s hard to believe God will use all this to strengthen our faith when we wait and trust in His timing. Physically, logically my brain can’t comprehend what is going on around me, but by faith I don’t have to have it all figured out and answers to all my questions. The only thing I need to know is God’s outcome is loving and good.
I admit there are times I have to catch myself and question, Am I Living More in Fear or in Faith?
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Being honest, I’ve focused a lot on my fears of what surrounds me. It FEELS as though God has left and I’m walking through this battlefield ALONE, just waiting for the explosion to go off. BUT I KNOW, these thoughts come from a place of FEAR. They are NOT God’s TRUTH or what He PROMISES US.
It’s easy to look around at what the world is doing and Fear there will be more spread of the virus. People are at their wits end and just want to be TOGETHER. I believe God doesn’t want us to LIVE in FEAR, but He wants us to also practice Discernment and Wisdom. He wants us be in community to support one another by giving empathy and compassion. God is the creator of universe and science. We will all have a different opinion and comfort levels on what we believe is safe for our health and well-being and that’s okay.
It’s Not my JOB to FIX the outcome, control people, or take away others’ FREE WILL. My Job is to Love them and Trust God’s outcome is BEST.
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When the world of chaos feels out of control, I have to stay anchored, centered, and grounded in the ONE who IS in CONTROL. The balance of trusting, surrendering, having faith, and standing firm can be a fine line to walk. My HOPE will never be found in the ability to figure it all out. When I CHOOSE to LIVE in FAITH and not by FEAR, there is always HOPE. When I TRUST and ALLOW God to GROW my FAITH way beyond anything I could ever do on my own.
He is the God of HOPE. He is the God of PEACE. You are loved. You matter. You are KNOWN to God. What you are going through Matters and He will use for all for His good.
“His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power”. Habakkuk 3:3-4
I will ask. I will wait. I will praise. Just like Habakkuk. My faith will carry me and take me further than any amount of fear can. When I am troubled by what surrounds me. When I waiver at the battle before me. I remember the one who has it all in His control.
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