By Olubunmi Adebayo
*Today, we shall be concluding our discussion on the means of attaining victory over fear with a focus on faith as a critical counter.*
*In one particular encounter, Jesus calmed the raging storm when fear overwhelmed the disciples and they had perhaps their closest shave with death while following Jesus Christ as their master.*
*Please read the story in some details :*
*Mark 4: [37] And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.*
*[38]And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?*
*[39] And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.*
*[40] And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?*
*Despite seeing the obvious, Jesus still asked his followers “why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”*
*You must know and note that fear and faith cannot occupy the same space at the same time.*
*You defeat fear by speaking truth louder than the lie. That is why Psalm 56:3 says: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”*
*David didn’t wait for fear to leave. He chose trust while being afraid was still strong and visible :*
*Psalms 23:[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.*
*Please try and understand the chemistry between faith and fear.*
*Know that faith doesn’t remove the storm, it rather anchors a man inside it.*
*Fear says “What if?” And Faith says “Even if.”*
*Faith will accomplish the following over fear :*
*1) Faith helps to rewire the focus of a man whenever fear zooms in on a particular challenge of life.*
*Consider the following case scenarios :*
*i) Goliath’s profile and size which prompted fear in everyone at the war front, including King Saul and big brother Eliab – 1Sam 17:11-28.*
*ii) The storm’s waves that brought so much alarm to the disciples of Jesus Christ – Mk 4:38-39.*
*iii) The great scare at the Red Sea when Pharaoh and his soldiers came for the kill or a return to captivity – Exo 14:1-17.*
*In the encounters above, fear loomed large and faith took a bow for most of the people concerned.*
*But consider the response of David in case (i) above : David rolled out the testimonies of God : he remembered the lion and the bear in 1 Sam 17:37.*
*Peter remembered Jesus walking on water and his master asking him to COME – Matt 14:29.*
*The greatest drive of faith is SELF ASSURANCE. Take a second look at the definition of faith in Heb 11:1 -“Faith is the _assurance_ of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”*
*You may not be able to see your way out, but faith lets you trust the One who can.*
*Please pay attention to the following 3-step suggestions :*
*A) Admit unto God, “I’m afraid of this or that”. God already knew you are afraid and that is why there are 365 “FEAR NOT” proclamations in the Bible. One for each day of the typical year as it were.*
*B) Replace relevant scriptures that can help in your situation to address the fear before you. For example on fear of death, remember :*
*Ps 118:[17] “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD”.*
*C) Drive your faith by acting : Do one thing your fear says you cannot do. Take a step of faith and apply for the job. Tell yourself I am healed.*
*Please let this one sink into you very well : “Faith grows with use”.*
*Fear may ask you “What if it goes wrong?”. Always remember the response of Faith : “What if God shows up?”*
*…..And God will show up for you.*
Top of the day to you 👍
©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
