Faith for Flourishing

Fear is an extraordinary and complex emotion. It possesses the remarkable ability to protect us from making foolish choices, yet it can also drive us towards them. It serves as a powerful indicator, simultaneously highlighting the potential for great blessings and success, as well as signaling the impending possibility of mistakes.

While many think of fear in terms of the chilling sensations provoked by horror novels and films, its scope extends far beyond that realm. Fear manifests when we receive distressing news about a loved one’s accident or experience the loss of a job. For most of us, this is our understanding of fear, and we often fail to recognize its constant presence in our lives. We easily offer quotes from scripture like “be strong and courageous” or “God is with you” to those facing death or destruction, yet we frequently overlook fear as a driving force behind our daily choices.

We often overlook the fact that fear is the origin of many of our self-imposed limitations. In an attempt to control our fear, we establish laws and boundaries. However, we fail to acknowledge that these laws do not exert control over our fear; instead, our fear controls us. The creation of boundaries and laws does not grant us power over our fear. This is not to say that boundaries and laws lack importance or necessity, but rather that those borne out of fear do not liberate us from fear; they keep us shackled to it.

The only way to truly conquer fear is through unwavering faith in God. As Psalm 56:3 states, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Faith is the means by which fear is subdued, and it paves the way to freedom. Through faith, we no longer need to fear death, the influence of the devil or demons, or even change and progress. Why? Because faith encompasses the resurrection of the dead, the defeat of the devil, and the journey from one level of glory to another.

What we truly need is faith triumphing over fear. While we may establish boundaries, they must be rooted in faith and love. Relying on the fear of others’ opinions is a feeble substitute for being motivated by love.

Sometimes, the difference between fear and faith can be so subtle that only divine intervention reveals our lack of faith. In those moments, we must consciously choose faith. God has exposed our fears because He knows we possess the ability to overcome them. Embrace faith, humble yourself, pray, discern the distinction between fear and a divine prompting, acknowledge when fear influences your decisions, and gradually strip fear of its control over your life.

Faith over fear is the path that God intends for us to tread. It represents the superior way that God calls us to follow. Faith over fear marks the distinction between the old and new covenants. The new covenant of faith, with its superior promises, designates Jesus as the chief mediator, as emphasized in the book of Hebrews. Claim this truth today and embark on a journey of walking in faith over fear!

Pastor Anthony Yanny