To Have Fear Or Faith?

TO HAVE FEAR OR FAITH? Fear is defined as: a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. Faith is defined as: To have confidence or trust in a person or thing, belief that is not based on proof, and belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion. We can read that nothing except ourselves can separate us from the God in Romans 8:28-37. Also specifically it says that: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). Ultimately, there are only two motivating factors in life: fear or faith. Until we really know and trust that God is for us, loves us, cares about us personally and hasn't forgotten us, we will base our life's decisions on fear. All fear and worry stems from a lack of faith in God. You may not think you are walking in fear, but if you aren't walking in faith, you are. Stress is a form of fear. Worry is a form of fear. Worldly ambition is rooted in a fear of being overlooked or of being a failure. Many relationships are based on the fear of being alone. Vanity is based on a fear of being unattractive and unloved. Greed is based on a fear of poverty. Even anger and rage are based on the fear that there is no justice, no escape, no hope. Fear breeds selfishness, which is the exact opposite of God's character. Selfishness breeds pride and indifference to others. All of these are sin and must be dealt with accordingly. Stress arises when we try to serve both ourselves (our fears), and God at the same time (which is impossible to do). "Unless the Lord builds the house, it's builders labor in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat." (Psalm 127:1-2). We all have fear at sometime or another, that is a fact. It can be seen as a fire. A controlled fire will keep you warm but left unattended or out of control, that fire will burn your house down. In other words, natural fear keeps us from charging an elephant like a rhino. But an unnatural fear may cause us to charge an elephant like a rhino. Nobody is immune to fear but we must allow God to be our focus instead of the fear. And in doing so it will disappear. Is there a biblical reference? Sure. Jesus was walking on the water and Peter wanted him to ask him to join, and he did so. Matthew 14:29-30 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. The important point is that Peter was the one who dared to believe among the group and walked on the water, just as long as he looked at Jesus. And when he looked at the world or the waves in this instance, he began to sink. The same goes for us in our walk with Christ. In fact we are commanded to walk in peace, praying always, and have his word ready at the instant. How can this be done? It is by keeping our hearts and minds on the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Jesus forewarned us that all would have tribulation in this world. Yet he overcame it by the faith in the word of God and so should we as well. It (our faith and the word combined together) must be applied in all things. We must follow his example in all things. Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. We are to follow Christ's model in all areas of our lives. We are to baptized in his name. Die to ourselves and live unto God. And love the brotherhood of Christians among other things. The most important thing is to save ourselves from this untoward (ungodly) generation through loving obedience to his word. In doing so we will save not only ourselves but those who hear and take heed to the doctrine (teachings) of Christ. This is the faith once delivered unto the early church. And not this religious mumbo-jumbo and the Pharisaic ideas we see all to often today. May God move you by his spirit and give you a greater revelation by his word and will. God bless us all in Jesus name.