In my previous post, I wrote about “colossal faith.” This was the faith exhibited in Caleb’s life as he stood against his doubts and conquered an enemy who had paralyzed many of his loved ones and friends with fear. In part two of this subject, I want to deal with how we can counter our own fears, which left unbridled, can lead to patterns of unbelief in our hearts. If we are not intentional about dealing with our fears, we can get stuck in life.
Colossal faith is what conquers mountains in our lives. I like to think of this as faith that has been tested and has withstood the gauntlet of discouragement. Faith that cannot be dissuaded, regardless of the opposition it must face.
This is probably a good time to note that fear is not an implication of faithlessness on our part. The enemy would have us to believe that if we have fears then we are weak, or don’t have the capacity for faith. The truth is, fear and faith can coexist while vying for ownership over our will.
We must realize that faith is not the absence of fear – it is the mastery of it. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.”
I’m sure Caleb had doubts about the conquest of Canaan. It’s just that his doubts don’t get mentioned because they have been subdued by faith’s will to overcome. Caleb is a conqueror, not because he is fearless, but because he masters his fear with dauntless trust in God’s promise.
I remember when Stephanie, my little girl, was standing by the side of a pool at two-years-old while her father stood in the water encouraging her to jump. In that moment, which must have felt like an eternity to her, she became the trenches of an inner conflict. The one who loves her more than words can describe is telling her to come but everything inside of her is screaming to stay put. She can see the water, dark and cold… uncharted territory… a dangerous mission. Her little body trembles, and she is deathly aware that she cannot swim.
On the other hand, her daddy is in the water and he is quite capable of catching her. The battle is between fear and trust.
In her moment of decision, the ramifications of what she chooses to do will prove to be monumental. If she jumps, she becomes more confident in her father’s ability to rescue her. She will be more willing next time to leap as well. But if she holds back, not only does she lose the opportunity to experience her father is trustworthy, the terror will prove to paralyze her as she will develop a pattern of avoiding similar situations in the future. She will shun at all cost any challenge that may expose her fear or perceived lack of bravery.
Stephanie jumps. Her daddy catches her. She is eager to do it again… and again… and again. Consequently, she learns to swim. Now we can’t keep her out of the pool! She’s quite the little mermaid.
That’s a beautiful picture of what God longs to do in our lives. Our journey involves one decision of trust after another. Will we trust Him? Will we jump, or will we shrink back in fear? As I mentioned, it’s quite okay to have fears. It’s what you do with those fears that will determine your destiny.
In Mark 9, a man brought his son to Jesus. A demonic spirit had seized the boy and his father petitioned Jesus to save him. Jesus told the man that all things were possible to those who believe. To this the concerned father replied, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” This man had faith, but was also honest about his fears.
This is the key to colossal faith – being realistic about our fears. Many live in denial of their fears. They never face them. We have a Father whose outstretched arms always beckon us to take that leap of faith. Admitting our fears and having the courage to look fear square in the face. Not becoming paralyzed by them, but choosing to jump into the arms of God – despite them.