July 5, 2017
Choosing Faith Over Fear
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that He is real and that He rewards those who truly want to find Him (Hebrews 11:6, NCV).
Friend to Friend
I grew up in Texas where tornadoes are a common occurrence. When the clouds took on a peculiar shade of green and the wind began to blow, we would turn on the radio and wait for any news, hoping and praying it was just an ugly storm headed our way. Many times we were forced to climb down into the damp, musty storm shelter buried in our back yard. I hated those storms!
Dan and I had been married several years when God moved us to South Florida where hurricanes seemed to be the norm for native Floridians. Then Hurricane Andrew came along, and I experienced first-hand the devastation these monstrous storms can inflict. I saw nothing normal at all about them. Hurricanes sweep brutally over their prey with vicious strength and leave nothing but destruction and terror in their path. Homes are reduced to useless rubble, memories are washed away, and lives are lost. Even today, certain parts of South Florida are still rebuilding.
I have always thought of hurricanes as something mankind could certainly do without, but I once read an article that said hurricanes are necessary to maintain a balance in nature. Scientists say hurricanes are tremendously valuable because they break up a large percentage of the oppressive heat that builds up at the equator. Hurricanes are also indirectly responsible for much of the rainfall in North and South America. Good really can come from bad.
The storms of life are much the same. Trials, pain, difficult circumstances, and hard times are all part of life. Things happen that are beyond our understanding and out of our control. If you are like me, I find myself turning to God with the question, “Why?”
That’s where faith comes in.
Faith means being sure of the things we hope for. And faith means knowing that something is real even if we do not see it (Hebrews 11:1, ICB).
Faith is built upon trust. God wants us to trust Him in the trials of life. Even when we do not understand what is happening or cannot explain the circumstances. Even when nothing makes sense and everything seems wrong.
God did not come to eliminate storms. God came to fill each storm with His presence and power. It is easy to trust Him when the seas are calm and the skies are clear, but the true strength of our faith is measured in the midst of a raging storm. A crisis always reveals what is really inside. What life does to us depends on what life finds in us. Faith is a deliberate choice to believe God and walk through our fear, knowing we can trust Him every step of the way.
Let’s Pray
Father, I confess to You that my faith is weak. Forgive me for giving in to doubts and fears. I know Your plan for me is certainty and hope. Please help me face today with Your faith in my heart. Enable me to walk straight ahead through my fear knowing You are with me in each step. Today, I choose faith.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Scripture tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Matthew 17:20 also tells us that even a tiny amount of faith pleases Him. (Jesus) replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’ "
A mustard seed is tiny, but once planted, grows into a huge tree. Jesus said a little faith can have incredible results. We don't need a lot of faith - just as much as a mustard seed to produce great results. Why? Because our God is an awesome God and our faith depends on Him – not us.
What is the greatest storm in your life today?
What step do you need to take to face that trial with faith instead of fear?
What is keeping you from trusting God and stepping out in faith?
More from the Girlfriends
To live this life requires an unshakable faith that will see us through every storm and every trial we will ever face. An unshakable faith is the foundation for the abundant life Jesus came to provide for each one of us. In her MP3 Download, 4 Steps to an Unshakable Faith, Mary shares the four steps we can take to experience an unshakable faith and shows us how we can apply each step to our lives.
Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.
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