FAITH AND FEAR ARE NEVER FRIENDS

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

Could Faith and Fear ever be friends? Let me share with you a little story that came to my mind to illustrate what I believe is a Biblical answer to this question.

 

We find Faith walking down a street when he runs into Fear. Fear is coming towards him with a very, very worried look on his face.

 

“Excuse me sir could you tell me where the drug store is in this town?” asks Fear.

 

“Well I believe its two blocks down on the left. Are you okay?” replies Faith.

 

“Absolutely not! I’m worn to a frazzle!”

 

“What’s the problem? Possibly I can help.”

 

“Oh I’m just overwhelmed with life in general. I’m scared to death what tomorrow holds for me. There are so many things that are stressing me out. Things are not good and very likely will get worse. They possibly will be even horrible beyond comprehension!”

 

“Well I believe in God and His Word says in Matthew 6:33-34, ‘Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.’”

 

“I’m not sure if I can believe that about tomorrow. It just sounds too good to be true. But you are totally right about today having it’s own troubles. Oh how bad today is, I have no idea how I am going to cope with all the things that are happening today.”

 

“I am very concerned for you and am sorry you are so fearful. I have found my relationship with God sustains me through all sorts of trials, struggles and difficulties. His Word helps me cope with the troubles of today because of what it says of my God and how He cares for me. His Word says in Colossians 3:15 ‘Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.’ and in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 it says, ‘May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.’ My God is a God of peace and His Son who died for my sins has a peace that He gives me to rule over any stress and fretfulness I might ever experience. It also says in 2 Thessalonians 3:16, ‘Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.’ So you see my Lord gives me peace all the time, every single day.”

 

“Well that’s all fine and good for you. But I just can’t believe that God would care that much for me. I mean if He loves you, why would He ever allow you to face such horrible things that can happen in life? I’m just beside myself thinking of all the possible things that can and do happen!”

 

“Well bad things do happen, even to good people at times, but that is where you have to believe that God has a purpose behind such situations and events. There are times when you face struggles because of the sins of others and God will allow these things to build our trust in Him. It says in James 1:2-5

‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’”

 

“So God wants to torture me and my emotions by purposely letting bad things happen to me?”

 

“No, no. God doesn’t enjoy allowing trials to come your way, but He knows it is necessary to allow situations to take place so that we can grow in our trust of Him. If we had sunshine all the time we’d live in a desert. So some rain must fall at times in our lives for us to grow. There is actually spiritual nourishment when storms rain down upon our lives as we strive to put ourselves in His hands.”

 

“I’m just so scared.”

 

“I know. It is very hard at times to believe that God is in control, that He is working on your behalf and will make a future for you that will be to your benefit. Several scriptures talk about not fearing and that we should seek to trust God. Psalms 23:4 says, ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.’ And Psalms 27:1 says, ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?’

 

“But I am so afraid all the time. That’s why my father and mother named me Fear, because that’s what I live in all the time.”

 

“I know what you speak of. I was once very, very fearful. I couldn’t face issues in my life and I was just as overwhelmed with emotions of worry and fret as you. I too was called Fear but when I discovered the God of peace and of love I committed myself to trusting in Him for all my needs and cares. He saved me from my sins and my fear gradually grew less and less.”

 

“So you’re not afraid of anything at all anymore?”

 

“No I wouldn’t say that. I’m only human. But I know that when I begin to worry and fret I need to run to my Savior, pray to Him and study His Word and my fears will gradually subside. It says in His Holy Word in Romans 1:17 that, ‘The righteous will live by faith.’ and in 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, ‘Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.’ and in 2 Corinthians 5:7 ‘We live by faith, not by sight.’ So you see we can’t live by looking at our circumstances. We can’t live a peaceful life if we’re always worried about what is happening. We must live by faith in our God. That is why I changed my name to Faith.”

 

“But how in the world can you do this when everything around you is falling apart. There are so many horrible things that are happening or that could happen. You can’t help but focus on the bad things.”

 

“Yes it is hard but we must remember what God says in His Word and that will help us fix our eyes on Him. Hebrews 12:2 says, ‘Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.’ And in Hebrews 11:1-2 it gives us a definition of what faith is all about. It says, ‘Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.’”

 

“But I still don’t see how you can obtain such faith in the midst of such fear?”

 

Possibly Romans 10:17 might answer your question. It says, ‘Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.’”

 

“I don’t know. I am so controlled by fear that I can’t let it go!”

 

“It sounds to me you need to experience the love of God. 1 John 4:18 says that, ‘There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.’ If you accept the love of God you will find your fear will diminish and you will experience the peace of God.”

 

“I’m sorry. I just can’t accept God’s love right now. I know all the things you’ve said are wonderful and the scripture verses are all true as you say. But fear has such a grip on me that I just can’t believe I can get relief from all this fear by having faith in God.”

 

“I understand it is hard to believe. God won’t give up on you. He’ll continue to seek you because He loves you. Would you want to come with me? I’m meeting a friend called Trust at Barnes and Noble. We’re going to have some coffee and study about how God is faithful.”

 

“I’ll pass for now. I’ve got to get to that drug store and get some Valium. I’m also meeting a friend at Starbucks. His name is Worry. We’re going to have some coffee and sit at a table and fret about things. Wish we could be friends but I just don’t see how that can happen. See ya.”

 

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

 

Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.”