Faith over fear

Life is pretty shaky sometimes. I am not even sure if that is the right word but it seems to fit that feeling. The feeling of uneasy insecurity. Of not knowing what is coming next. Not being able to see around the corner. That feeling that seems to make the unknown grow into something so much bigger than it will actually be. That feeling that if left unchecked can throw us into spiritual vertigo.

This week has been full of conversations with friends about the unknown. Either with their marriage or their children or work. That shaky thought that leads into uneasiness. That gut feeling that grows. That scenario conjured up in our minds that can turn into full fledged panic. All those emotions that usually always come out of the root of fear.

Fear can paralyze the best of us. It can make us into crazy people. It can force us into a thought process that is totally irrational. All before we even realize that we stepped over to the dark side. Probably none of you ever actually step over that line. But me? I have stepped over many times. There have been times in my life when I stepped over and took so many steps in the wrong direction that I lost sight of the line. But I am learning.

Fear is usually rooted in the unknown. Whatever that is for each of us individually. The future that can't be seen. The hope that can't be grasped because it doesn't have a name or a face. The forgiveness that we just can't feel or give because the hurt can't be forged through. Fear is a tool of the enemy. It is also a tool that we use against ourselves.

I am a planner. A controller. An emotional barrier. As long as I can keep moving, then I can keep functioning. But God offers us a throne room of Grace. And Grace is always bigger than fear. I remember studying the old testament tabernacle when I was a young mom. We studied about all of the rooms; the outer and inner courts. The last one being the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest could enter that room. And only once a year. The veil covered the entrance to the room that held God's Glory.

I also clearly remember when I read the crucifixion passages and realized that when Jesus died on the cross the veil in the temple ripped from top to bottom. A wide open invitation to enter. A straight path to the throne of Grace. That deep theological doctrine all of a sudden seemed so simple. So I began to run. Straight into that throne room. And that Grace became my reality.

But I also realized that the only way in was straight through the opening. Not around it. Or over it. Or through the back door. But directly forward. Through the circumstance. Through the pain. Through the fear. Through the unknown. Leave the shaky ground for the unshakeable. That is where fear is defeated.

So today, sweet friends, storm the throne room. He is waiting. He is faithful. And He is unshakeable. Run in and hold tight... may your Faith be larger than your fear.

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly 

draw near to the throne of grace 

(the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), 

that we may receive mercy [for our failures]

 and find grace to help in good time for 

every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, 

coming just when we need it]. 

hebrews 4:16 amplified