HOW TO CHOOSE FAITH OVER FEAR: DO IT AFRAID!

Are you standing at the edge of something terrifying afraid to take that leap of faith? What should you do?

Do it anyway. Do it afraid!

How is that for a piece of bold and brash advice to start your Mindful Monday? Yes, we are going to go to those scary places today. Not the areas that have you trembling behind locked doors or shaking underneath the covers. But we are going to venture into those deep dark corners of your mind where fear, doubt, and anxiety torment you.

IT IS HARD TO CHOOSE FAITH OVER FEAR

Where you hear voices hissing:

You are not strong enough.

You are going to fall flat on your face (literally!).

You are not capable of doing what others can do.

Your limitations make you helpless, hopeless, and useless.

I have been on a journey to conquer my fears by putting myself out there when I felt exposed, insecure, and unsteady. And each time I did, it felt as if I was standing at the edge of a precipice only steps away from falling headlong into the abyss.

WHY FEAR IS SOMETIMES EASIER THAN FAITH

Fear has gripped and paralyzed me so many times in the past year. It has mocked and taunted me mercilessly. Due to several physical challenges that continue to plague and torment me, I live in an anxious state of not being able to trust or rely on my body.

New symptoms seem to lurk around every corner making simple daily tasks like walking, driving, eating, and even sleeping obstacles I must overcome. The joys of my life such as writing, reading, taking care of my home, and spending time with friends and family have also been impacted as I must often sit on the sidelines of life waiting until I feel stronger, better, or healthier.

Although my fears center around my health issues, they extend far beyond my physical body. The tentacles of anxiety and alarm can creep menacingly into every other area of my life draining me of joy, purpose, love, and security. It is a daily battle to keep my mind focused on what I can do instead of falling hopelessly into what I cannot do.

THE BATTLE BETWEEN FEAR & FAITH

Have you felt the agonizing grip of this kind of fear?

Maybe you are afraid of being alone, afraid of starting a new career or job, afraid of leaving home, afraid of loving after betrayal or loss, afraid of asking for help, or afraid of looking like a fool.

What do you do when you are afraid?

For a long time, I believed I had to conquer my fear before I could have victory. I thought that overcoming fear was my battle to fight alone.

But by reading stories of people battling fear in the Bible, God showed me something entirely new.

THE BATTLE OVER FEAR IS THE LORD’S

I have often written about battles here AT THE CROSSROADS. I guess you could say it is one of my themes. Why? Because the more I have lived I have learned the truth of this quote:

WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT CHOOSING FAITH OVER FEAR

Recently, during my time of Bible study, I read about a significant battle where God showed up in a big way. I love finding stories like this because they remind me of who God is and how he fights for us–even when we are afraid.

The story takes place in 2 Chronicles 20:1-29 (when is the last time you read this book of the Bible?).

King Jehoshaphat is leading Judah and gets word that the Moabites, Ammonites, and some other enemies are coming against Judah. He is afraid for his people because the army coming against them is vast and their chances of winning are slim.

But instead of consulting his generals or fortifying the city, King Jehoshaphat goes to God in prayer. He tells the people of Judah to fast and pray as well. He honestly confesses to God that he is fearful and needs His help. King Jehoshaphat openly admits that they will inevitably be defeated unless God intervenes. One of my favorite verses from his plea is in 2 Chronicles 20:12:

We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

God answers King Jehoshaphat and tells him that He will fight for them, no worries. However, Judah does need to go out and meet their adversaries on the battlefield. The Lord gives these instructions through Jahaziel:

Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. ¹⁶ Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. ¹⁷ You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

2 Chronicles 20:15-17

The next morning, Jehoshaphat tells everyone to keep the faith and arranges for some singers to praise God as they march out to battle. God follows through by sending an ambush for the enemy, and they all end up attacking and fighting each other instead.

What a story, right? It is one of my new favorites.

HOW TO BEAT FEAR WITH FAITH

I know that in the midst of battling my fears God intentionally led me to this story to teach me a valuable lesson:

When you are afraid to do it, do it afraid!

God could have delivered King Jehoshaphat and his people without sending them into battle, but he didn’t.

God could have taken care of the armies before they even marched toward Judah, but he didn’t.

Instead, God told them to go meet their enemies. To stand firm. To hold their positions. To watch the Lord fight on their behalf.

Do you think that they were afraid? Do you think they doubted if they really heard from God? Do you think they were prepared to die on the battlefield that day?

I think so.

But they went anyway. Not only did Judah’s army march out to face an insurmountable enemy, but they did so praising and singing. Did you catch that?

Frightened, timid, and uneasy, they not only followed God’s instructions, but they did so with joy!

CHOOSE FAITH & DO IT AFRAID

I hope you take as much comfort and encouragement from this story as I do.

The only way we can conquer our enemies of doubt, hopelessness, and failure is by stepping out to meet them in battle.

Yes, the battle is the Lord’s, but he does not tell us to sit on the sidelines. To prove our faith is bigger than our fear, we must act in obedience.

Since I always need help remembering the lessons I have learned, I usually come up with some way of keeping it simple. Here is my acrostic for A-F-R-A-I-D. You can download and print this for free to help you remember.

So when I have to deal with a new symptom, face another doctor, take another painful test, and acknowledge my weakness and limitations, God is still with me. He never leaves my side and promises to deliver me from all my fears. So even if I am afraid, I can look fear in the face and sing along with Francesca Battistelli, “Fear you don’t own me.”

Listen to her song and let these powerful lyrics give you the courage to break up with fear today!

LISTEN TO “THE BREAKUP SONG”

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