From Fear to Faith

Have you felt afraid recently? I know I have. Climate change, abortion, immigration, gun control—no matter what you care about, one or both sides will use language that induces fear to try to swing your vote (or get your donation).

I’m not sure if the election coverage is actually worse this year or if there’s always been this much fear-mongering.

But I have a worse problem. One of the reasons I’m afraid is that something bad actually could happen, and God clearly does not see war and revolution as a hindrance to my Christian growth.

After all, there were Christians in Ukraine and Russia. There were Christians in Israel and Gaza. There were Christians in Syria and Kuwait. My own grandmother lost her father to the Bolsheviks and her fiancé to the Stalinists before fleeing her home with nothing, traveling as a refugee through three countries until she met my grandfather.

To be honest… I prefer to continue living my safe, comfortable life, thank you. I loved hearing my grandma’s stories of God’s miraculous provision in her life—but I never wanted to go through the kind of suffering that required those miracles. Frankly, Jesus is not very reassuring on this matter.

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. (Luke 12:4-5)

Now, I’m not saying we should want to suffer. It’s fine to wish for comfort. But my anxiety reveals a place where I haven’t yet said to God, “not my will but Yours be done.” It shows that I don’t yet truly believe my “present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

But immediately after saying the above, Jesus says we’re each precious to God (Luke 12:6-7). He says elsewhere that, though I am “evil,” I still love my children, and that’s just a fraction of how much God loves me (Matthew 7:9-11). God will never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8). Even in the valley of the shadow of death, he will be with me and console me (Psalm 23:4). Nothing can separate me from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).

God really does want the actual best for me. I can love and be loved, I can serve others and grow closer to Jesus, and I can become more holy, even in the midst of suffering. That should make me feel better. In my sinful nature, however, I want my creature comforts more than I want spiritual growth.

If you’re in the same boat, here’s what we can do:

1.         Pray. God’s perfect love drives out fear. Although I often have to start by asking God to help my unbelief (Mark 9:24), prayer can change our hearts from fear to faith.

2.         Apply some objective truth.  It’s a good first antidote to fear. For example, my worst fears about the election probably won’t come true. Even if some things I’m afraid of do happen, plenty of people will still be fighting for freedom and justice.

3.         Stop scrolling.  If we find ourselves getting more frightened without taking in new information, we should close the app or the tab or the magazine or newspaper.

4.        Work. Find one thing you can do. I write postcards to get out the vote. For you, maybe it’s canvassing for a local candidate you believe in or calling one of your elected officials to give an opinion. Taking action is better than being paralyzed by fear.

5.         Pray. More. I ask God for the outcome that will harm the least amount of people.