Fearless Faith

Almost no one who knows me would say I am an exceptionally brave person. Yet, I know that what God has called me to requires daring, faith, and a bit of moxy.

So if you are like me, you may be wondering the same. How are we supposed to respond when we are called to do requires a level of courage that goes beyond our own capability?

Is it possible to trust God when fear rises up at such a level, it demands our attention? To answer a question that enormous, I go where I often do – God’s word.

We were created by God to fulfill the purpose He created for us.

Ephesians 2:10    For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Scripture says that God set us apart before we were born.

Jeremiah 1:5    Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you, before you were born I set you apart;

When we have such a mighty lineage, what is it that causes us to hold back, and avoid stepping into our God-designed calling.

There are many roots of fear that hold us back. But I believe that doubt and fear of failing are some of the primary reasons Christians never experience their God given potential. Fear often goes-hand-in-hand with doubt. And those two emotions can be debilitating when they combine.

Fear of failing and doubt are rooted in control. We want to be courageous, but we’re not always sure it’s worth the potential risk. These two emotions create a perfect storm of anxiety that captures our attention, and confines us to an imaginary place we’re convinced keeps us safe.

But faith is the polar opposite of these two lying emotions. And Faith demands us to let go of our ability to control the outcome. Fear and doubt may give the appearance of protection. But they are faulty ground.

However, our reasoning is often faculty and based on past experience or perceived danger. We see the battle, but forget God’s promise of victory.

Deuteronomy 20:4    For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.

As Christians, we likely know the answer to fear and doubt is faith. Still, sometimes it’s not as easy to put that into action as it sounds. Faith is believing in the intangible as if it were solid. It is believing the promise is factual enough to hold in your hand. It means trusting that God is true to what He says, just as scripture promises. And he promises it’s going to be good.

Jeremiah 29:11    For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Fearlessness requires us to set aside every preconceived belief and expectation. It demands that we not only leap off the cliff, it calls us to proceed boldly into the deep.

Like Peter in Matthew 14:22-33, we must step out of the safety of the boat, with our eyes firmly planted on the one who guides our steps. And just like Peter, we must base our journey on faith in God’s promise, not on what our fear tells us.isi.