How to Replace Our Fears with Faith
What makes you afraid?
When we take a closer look at our fears, many of them center around the unknown, unfamiliar, or what is out of our control.
One of my greatest fears is storms.
The power and unpredictability that they possess turn me into a nervous wreck every time the thunder begins to roll and rain pounds on the roof. You never can quite tell what a simple summer thunderstorm may progress into.
Ironically, before I lost my sight, I also had a fear of the dark.
What could be more unfamiliar or unknown than not being able to see what is right in front of you?
A hand reaching out into total darkness.
It seems as humans we have an innate need for wisdom and understanding.
The drive to search out knowledge is not a new one. In fact, it can be traced all the way back to the beginning of creation in Genesis 3 when the serpent succeeded in tempting Eve.
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die, For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.”
(Genesis 3:1-6, ESV)
We can also read about the same topic in the book of Job but from a different perspective.
In Job 28:12, we are presented with the following question: “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?”
Job was no stranger to pain, fear, and a lack of understanding. He struggled to comprehend the crushing loss of his family, possessions, and former life. And the uncertainty of his future as he dealt with his deteriorating health.
There is no doubt that a little wisdom and understanding would have helped to quench Job’s fears.
Job 28 tells us that what we seek cannot be found here on earth, in the advice or guidance from a friend or family member, or in the lines of a self-help book.
There is only one source.
“God understands the way to it, and he knows its place. For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure, when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightening of the thunder, then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out. And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
(Job 28:23-28, ESV)
A hand reaching out over a large body of water towards sunshine beginning to beam over the horizon.
Our God, who knows all, understands all, and created all, is that source.
As the passage from Job tells us, God is the designer of those storms that I so greatly fear.
Yes, they are unpredictable, but I can always put my trust in Him to help me weather the wind, rain, and lightning.
Furthermore, God is the opposite of darkness. His light is powerful enough to fill any void, whether it is an eerie night or a dark situation in our own lives.
The only way to find true Christ-centered courage is by replacing our own fears with a fear of the Lord.
Realizing all that God has done not only in our own lives, but throughout the world and universe that surrounds us, can leave us wanting to turn away from our sin, this world, and our own desires and reposition ourselves towards His glorious goodness in awe.
When we build a relationship with Him, strive to truly know His character, and follow His guidance with faith and trust, we can lean on His powerful, never-ending wisdom to walk us through all of those uncertain, unfamiliar, and scary situations that we may face.
How can you take steps towards replacing your fears with a fear of the Lord today?
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