There are a lot of mind-blowing moments in Biblical History; God-breathed words portray endless accounts of healing and miracles, supernatural grace, forgiveness and unconditional love.
But why? I’ve asked myself this question countless times: Why is the Bible packed with all these amazing things, yet for some reason I don’t see much of that happening around me now?
I’ve muddled through different answers in my head: Maybe there are too many distractions, maybe we’ve lost touch with God, maybe it’s the change in culture. Nothing really made sense, seeing as how God promises that He’s the same as He was “yesterday, today and forever”. He promises that He’s our healer. He promises that we would do “even greater things”.
There is an account of healing in the Bible, where two followers of Jesus (Peter and John) heal a paralytic. Not through bandaids and physical therapy. They didn’t cast a magical spell with fairy dust either.
“And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” -Acts 3
By FAITH in Jesus, they were able to bring complete healing to the man who had been “lame since birth”, in an instant! Part of me reads the story and thinks, “Oh, what a neat story of the power of Christ working in someones life!” and the other part of me says, “I want to do crazy stuff like this! I’m a follower of Jesus, what am I missing that these two guys had?!”
Faith man, it’s faith.
What does it mean?
It’s such a short little word for how powerful it is.
I’ve always struggled with the word, more or less the meaning of it.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11
I’ve turned this verse upside down-right side up and inside out to better understand what faith is and how it applies to me.
According to the verse, Faith is:
- Substance of hope
- Evidence of the unseen
As I have been stretched and grown through trials, God has grown me out of my unbelief into a woman of faith. Recently, I was caught in the middle of a challenge that could have easily made me over-stressed and anxious, as I’ve been so quick to do in the past. I remembered a verse that I had recently read:
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” -1 John 5:14-15
In the midst of fear, I had a CHOICE. As do we all. I could get caught up in the endless worries of, what’s going to happen? what do I do? #freakout.
OR
I could choose to pray in FAITH. What is the difference you ask?
OH MAMA, it’s huge.
Take the verse above and apply it to your prayer life–in doing so, you gain a whole different type of strength. I promise. FAITH equips you to heavily rely so much on God, that you let your fears escape your mind and replace them with anticipation of God’s faithful response.
Fear is so ugly. It’s a life-ruiner, home-wrecker and a perspective obliterator. It’s Satan’s biggest tactic when it comes to destroying and distracting us from God’s goodness and His perfect will!
24 hrs after praying in faith (BELIEVING and knowing that He heard me and would faithfully answer), an answer came through a friend. It was incredible-I need to pray like this more often!
Two things I’ve learned about myself: I’m quick to fear, but I’m also a quick learner. One who is quick to fear, is less prone to reap the fruit of a deep-seeded faith in God. Faith in EVERY instance.
Together, let’s be a community of Jesus followers who destroy fears with Faith. Each step of faithful living and prayer, opens up a new spout for God’s goodness to pour through.
#Faithoverfear.
Try it today:
- Set apart time to be alone-distraction free.
- Be still, and thank God for a few things.
- Pray with confidence-not thinking “this is too big of a request” or “oh this may or may not happen”or “God may hear me right now, but maybe He’s too busy”. Stop. Pray in FAITH (with confidence) knowing and believing that He is there with you and will answer.
- Try catching yourself-the moment a fear ridden thought enters your head. Acknowledge them, try to not judge yourself for feeling them. Practice kindness to yourself and allow yourself to feel but not stay afraid.
- Pray and trust that your LOVING Father will take care of you and that HIS PLAN is the best plan.
“Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty?” -Job 11:7
“I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” -Job 42:2
God has given us His Holy Spirit as a helper. The instant you start to feel fear creep into your mind, ask Him to fill you a fresh and proclaim His authority over you, and watch fear diminish.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” -John 14:26
If you have trouble trusting God, remember all that He’s done and hold onto His promises.
He will never leave you or forsake you.
He is always with you.
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
He will supply all your needs.
He’s healer of broken bodies and broken hearts.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” -John 14:27
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. O my God, my soul is in despair within me; Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.” -Psalm 42:5-6
Guys, we don’t have time to let fear control us. Everyone experiences some level of it. Though the difference between what Christians do with fear, and what the rest of the world does with it is exponential (or at least it should be). God gives us a whole different kind of peace that the world can never give us. The kind of steady mind and heart that is able to remain steady in EVERY moment- the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Everyone’s going to experience fear; it’s your response that will set you apart. Look around you, this world isn’t thriving. People are hurting, lost, addicted, abused, dying-you name it. There’s a deep calling for urgent rescue. It is our job to carry this eternal faith into the hearts of the people around us, so that we can all thrive no matter what our circumstance may be.
“But you are a chosen group of people. You are the King’s religious leaders. You are a holy nation. You belong to God. He has done this for you so you can tell others how God has called you out of darkness into His great light.” -1 Peter 2:9
Don’t look back. Go forward today in newness of life. This is your choice: choose to step into the plummeting-spiral of fear or the miraculous freedom-ride of faith.
“He said to her, “Daughter, your FAITH has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” -Mark 5:34
Wake up, church! Revelation 3:2
Bri
BRIANNA JOY 
Enjoyed reading this article. I’ll be back to read more on your site. From one Jesus follower to another – carry on the journey with faith, not fear!!
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