WOULD YOU RATHER LIVE IN FEAR OR WALK IN FAITH?
- Key Verse
- But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." (Matthew 14:27)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
God does not want us to be afraid. Instead, He wants us to have faith in Him!
Reflections
If we are honest with ourselves, most of us struggle with being afraid. Webster's defines the word afraid as: "feeling fear; filled with apprehension." Whether it is being afraid that we don't have what it takes, fearing the unknown, or being frightened of walking through a hard situation, fear is a common struggle. I found it interesting that in the NIV, the word afraid is present in 206 verses, 96 of which say, "Do not be afraid." Easier said than done, right?Even though Peter knew Jesus was with him, Peter was scared of the wind. Jesus, the visible image of the invisible God, the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Alpha and Omega, all powerful, almighty, sovereign Lord was with him. Yet, Peter was still afraid. I love that Jesus challenges him on his "little faith" and asks, "Why did you doubt?" That is a question I often ask myself!
I happen to be a believer who struggles with being afraid. I usually refer to it as fear. In particular, fear of what people think of me and any situation that would affect that. I used to be consumed with thoughts about what I thought other people thought of me. This fear turned into anxiety and sinfully worrying. God used the ministry of Celebrate Recovery to show me that my unhealthy coping mechanisms were related to my ultimate struggle with fear, which was really a lack of faith in God. Before, I justified my "stress" and denied the fact that I was dwelling on those anxious thoughts that often included both the "what ifs" and dwelling on things that were not true!
Paul tells us something different in Philippians 4:4-9. He tells us to rejoice in the Lord always, not to be anxious about anything, to pray with thanksgiving, and to present our requests to God. He proceeds to tell us what to think on, namely what is true! The more you know God through prayer and through His Word, which reveals His character, the more faith and trust you will have in Him!
Discussion Questions
1. What are you afraid of? Are you trusting God to take care of those fears? Why or why not?2. How well do you know God? Do you know enough about His character to trust Him? If not, what next step can you take to get to know God better? (Spending time alone with God in prayer and in His Word, getting involved in a Bible study, taking a class to equip you like Equipped Disciple?)
3. Are you accepting living in fear as a way of life? If so, what next steps can you take?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What caused Peter to sink?
2. Have you ever been so afraid of the hard things in your life that you took your eyes off of Jesus?
3. What will you do the next time hard things come?
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Watermark Community Church.
Shannon Saunders
February 19, 2010 06:52 AM
Great devotional Tracy, thank you! Fear grips me at times as well- so good to know that God wants to take that from us- we just need ask. great to see you on Wednesday mornings as well! Shannon
Jim Wimberley
February 19, 2010 07:05 AM
Praying with you Tracy that we will be able to walk by faith today because of who God is and what He has done(Isaiah 41:10. Thanking God for your courage and faith and what a blessing you are to all of us here at Watermark. May we honor Christ with our lives today. Jim
Beth
February 19, 2010 07:18 AM
Thanks Tracy! I appreciated your research on fear. It's amazing how many times it's stated bc it's apparent how many times we keep missing the boat to have faith. Loved your devo
Todd Shaddock
February 19, 2010 07:31 AM
Tracy, I appreciate your words (and His :)). You quoted one of my favorite and most "leaned on" verses... Philippians 4:6-7.
Vince Yung
February 19, 2010 07:46 AM
Thanks for the reminder, Tracy! In Joshua 1, instead of being afraid, God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous more than a couple of times. If He told Joshua that, and Joshua, a strong person, heeded His command, how much more should we/I heed His command to be strong and courageous and not be afraid?
Vic Esclamado
February 19, 2010 08:01 AM
Thanks, Tracy! Just the morning reminder and encouragement I needed today.
Danelle Parker
February 19, 2010 08:11 AM
What a great way to start my morning. I am growing day by day in knowing the character of our King and trusting in His promises. I love how God has replaced my fear with peace. I am so encouraged by you, and love that I get to share that front row seat with you. Thank you my sweet friend!
Lauren Dempsey
February 19, 2010 09:02 AM
I am honored to walk alongside you and witness you living by Phil. 4:8 and encouraging our CG towards the same. Your passion and love for our Father and the pursuit to obey Him are contagious! Love you TLau.
jo tiller
February 19, 2010 10:41 AM
good morning tracy and thank you for today's devotional...in addition to the wisdom of your words this morning,your weekly encouragement at celebrate recovery exempiflies the truth of the Lord's power to heal the broken,hurt,and fearful...you model His love in your service to cr and the strength of that 500 watt smile of yours illuminates His promise in Isaiah 41:10.
brandy kilpatrick-patterson
February 19, 2010 10:49 AM
As a fellow 'struggler with fear'... I Love the title of this devo. Tracey Lau, you're so awesome. Maybe the sweetest girlie I know!
Joy
February 19, 2010 11:03 AM
Tracy, you bless the lives of so many day in and day out. . . including mine. Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing. Loved this devo. Honest, insightful, wise.
Homero
February 19, 2010 12:22 PM
Thank you Tracy for reminding me that I do need to let go of my fears.
Marcy "Bama"
February 19, 2010 12:38 PM
GIRRRL, way to go! Thank you for delivering this Truth to us in a real and vulnerable way. I've had to ask and remind myself frequently over the past 2 months if and DO I really believe He is who He says He is, and if so, then I should not be afraid. :)
Tiff. Wilkins
February 19, 2010 05:22 PM
I love it Tracy! Great job! Fear is yucky!
Dan G
February 19, 2010 05:57 PM
While I call DFW home, by His grace and in His mercy God has shown me the way out of the valley of DFW (doubt, fear, and worry). So often I go back for a visit and meet my "fear of man"/people pleasing struggles are waiting there to whisper to me to come back and live and I often listen. God used my mom like he did you w/this devo when she challenged me to see the DFW territory as a chance to Do my Father's Will. That is the fuel and food of faith I need to feed on everyday to fight the good fight. THANK YOU for your devotion to Him by your honesty and effort in serving up this great 'breakfast' that will help sustain my journey to DFW today.
Natalie Martin
February 20, 2010 09:15 PM
Tracy, I was so encouraged by your devo today. God is really working on this area in my life. God has used your message and JP's sermon on "Life is Too Short to Worry" to really challenge me to grow in this area.