“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:7
Faith is a constant command in the scriptures, and it’s opposed to the feelings of dread and fear. Of course, the greatest command in the Bible is do not be afraid, do not worry, do not fear. Faith is the opposite of fear. Faith is the thing that fosters joy, possibilities, and hope, and it cultivates the calling of God in your life. Faith is the thing that makes you what you were called to be. Faith is trust. Trusting in the knowledge that in spite of my current experience, good things are coming. Faith is clinging on to God instead of clinging on to clarity. Faith is clinging on to God in the midst of the fog. When things are not going the way I thought, when it seems like life is falling apart, we can hang on to the everlasting arms. And that’s what you do. You are the kind of person that hangs onto the Lord. You don’t hang onto news, circumstance, let downs, or betrayal, you hang onto God. And as you do, He’s going to bring you the victory. |
Prayer
Help me, God, to cling on to my faith, always.
Reflection
Do you lean towards faith or fear in your life?
6 Responses
Trust is the opposite of fear, not faith. Religion ultimately is still about control which is ultimately fear.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Lucy. We appreciate your insight on the title of this devotion. God loves you and so do we!
Faith is complete trust in someone or something. Based on that definition, I would have to say faith is the opposite of fear since faith is trust…therefore, your initial statement actually agrees that faith/trust is the opposite of fear. Belief or faith in Jesus is about trusting Him and letting go of fear. Jesus is all about freedom, not control. I suppose it depends on what one’s belief or religion is that determines whether or not it’s about control for them.
Thank you for your thoughts, Suzanne. We appreciate your insights — God loves you and so do we!
Lucy, I agree with your comments.
Suzanne, there is trust in faith. I also agree that Jesus is all about freedom instead of control. The issue is that organized religion is less about Jesus and IS all about control and that is where a huge part of the problem lies. Organized religion with its attempt to control how people behave in the context of the Divine keeps people stuck in a place of fear instead of trust.
amylindow, please refrain from saying “God loves you and so do we” to my post. It’s patronizing. I know that I am love, that the Divine is love and that the Kingdom of the Divine is within.
Faith is complete trust in someone or something. Based on that definition, I would have to say faith is the opposite of fear since faith is trust…therefore, your initial statement actually agrees that faith/trust is the opposite of fear. Belief or faith in Jesus is about trusting Him and letting go of fear. Jesus is all about freedom, not control. I suppose it depends on what one’s belief or religion is that determines whether or not it’s about control for them.