Choosing Faith Over Fear

Leggings: Commando (best faux leather leggings ever, wearing size small) | Booties: Christian Louboutin | Necklace: Personalized Jenifer Zuener |Blazer: Picked this up at my favourite local boutique Wasted Fashion, but similar, more pricey, Balmain version here

I hope everyone has been keeping well. With everything that has been happening in the world, I wanted to share something that has been on my heart for the last month: choosing faith over fear.

We have all experienced fear to some extent during our lives. Fear can develop in our minds based on negative experiences or because we were conditioned to be fearful (our parents or loved ones can nurture this without meaning to). Fear can take over and totally cripple us at times.

As a mom, I can find myself worrying more than ever. Having to be responsible for tiny humans you love so deeply can be terrifying at times, especially when we see some of the scary things that are happening in our world. I constantly have to remind myself that I can’t live in that state of mind if I want to live the abundant and peaceful life Jesus died to give us. I must choose faith over fear daily.

With that being said, I think we can agree that the current crisis of Covid-19 has created much uncertainty and fear in the minds of many. This virus does not care how much money you do or don’t have. It doesn’t care about your race, sex or age. It is effecting every facet of every life, one way or another.

It has effected our family in numerous ways. Andrew and I are both self-employed. We are both consultants in our respected fields of work. Essentially, we eat what we kill. I am currently on maternity leave, so I have had the security net of that income the last several months. Thank God, because with everything going on, there isn’t much to kill and eat these days, from business perspective (obviously -haha).

Along with that income, we also own a restaurant, which employs some amazing individuals, whom we love and care about. Due to mandatory closures of non-essential businesses, we have had to lay them all off. I totally understand these closures are necessary to try slow down the virus, however, that doesn’t stop the fact that we still have to pay a mortgage, property taxes, power, etc. with zero revenue. 

Thus, like many, we are unable to plan ahead, because NO ONE knows what to expect going forward. This is unchartered territory for everyone. So, like most people, we find ourselves wondering when this will this end? Will we survive? Will our employees be okay?

I should be worried – right? The natural mind says yes, worry! Let’s be serious, on paper, I have every right to worry. However, I am at rest knowing I KNOW the ONE that KNOWS what is happening. What amazing feeling it is to have confidence that everything is going to be okay in the midst of a storm.

God promises us peace in the midst of the storm. His word is full of promises like this. These promises are for you as much as they are for me. The Corona virus did not catch God by surprise. What the devil meant for harm, God can use for good (Genesis 50:20). He has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11). He is able to do able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

 If you look at all the uncertainly happening around me, you and everyone – we should all be worried and not sleeping. Yet, here I am, at peace, able to rest and enjoy my life to the fullest now more than ever. THIS is how I know God is with me. This is why my faith is stronger than my fear. I know my life is in the hands of the maker of heaven and earth. That is my faith. 

Please don’t misinterpret faith for being passive or lazy. Having faith isn’t sitting back and doing nothing about your situation. We must be wise and do our part. However, choosing faith is having confidence that I did what I can do and now my father in heaven will do what I cannot do. It’s trusting that the creator of the universe is in control and He will meet me where I am. There is no other person, place or thing I would rather put my trust, than in the one that knows me inside and out and loves me more than I can even comprehend. 

I realize it’s not always simple to have faith. The mind can be a battlefield full of negative emotions and thoughts. However, when you have a personal relationship with your heavenly father….when you know you are a child of the most high King…when you know and understand His heart and how good He is – it becomes much easier not to worry and is it EVER comforting to rest in his promises, especially during times of uncertainty (such as a time as this).

In order to win the battle of fear over your mind, you must constantly choose faith over fear. In order to be able to choose faith over fear, you must understand both. To understand both, you must feed your mind with truth about both. Truth about who Christ says you are. Truth about what he says about fear. Truth about his promises. Where do you find these truths? In God’s word.  The bible says, “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32) Understanding these truths will help you build a strong foundation that will help you combat fear with faith.

If you are someone who has never read the bible, that’s okay. It’s never too late to start. With all the social distancing happening, you actually might find yourself with more time on your hands (amiright). There are so many short devotionals online that will help you establish a solid understanding of who Christ says you are. Some great resources I love to listen to or read are, Daily Devotionals by Joyce Meyer & Joel Osteen .They both also have great talks you can watch online. I also recently started watching Elevation Church, and of course, have been tuning into our amazing home church, HopeCity, every Sunday online. 

Taking time to invest in your spiritual life will make such HUGE difference in how you see things and impact not only your day, but your entire world going forward (for the better).

You don’t go all day without feeding your body, right? Certainly not all week or all month. Nourishing it with good healthy food is important – isn’t it?

The same rule applies to your mind. What you put into it, comes out of you. So why not start feeding your mind and soul good and positive things. As you begin renew your mind with these positive truths, you will begin to shift your focus. When your focus shifts, I promise you will see such a difference in your way of thinking, which will positively impact everything in your life – your relationships, career, habits, you name it! (Matthew 4:4).

Another practical way to establish your faith is through prayer. Simply taking a few minutes a day to pray can be a major game changer. The bible says we have not, because we ask not (James 4:2). It also says to turn our worries into prayer (Philippians 4:6-7). So when you find yourself worrying, pray about it instead.

Honestly, I really wasn’t very disciplined in my prayer life until the last 3 years. Before that, I might of prayed when something was wrong or before bed if I thought of it, but it certainly wasn’t my habit to pray daily.

When I started to pray more, I started to see how powerful praying can be. Over time, I have begun to see the benefits of my prayers being answered (big and small). This has encouraged me to continue to pursue a stronger prayer life. So now, I don’t just pray once a day, I pray whenever I think of it. I pray in the car, while out for a walk, in the shower, on the treadmill, rocking my kids to sleep, when I wake in the morning or go to bed at night. Honestly, I just pray whenever I think of it and have time to myself and especially before any major decisions or when facing storms. 

Your prayer doesn’t have to be long and eloquent. It is simply you having a conversation with your father in heaven. Thanking him for what he’s done and what he’s doing. Giving him your worries and anxieties. Asking for help with situations you might be facing.

Jesus longs for us to spend time with him. This is a privilege! One many of us don’t take advantage of enough. It is a kn extremely powerful tool, but you will only discover how powerful, when you begin to do it yourself and see God’s power in your own life. (And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart, Jeremiah 29:13)

So, I encourage you, if you don’t know the one that made you; get to know Him. To seek Him and get to know Him is to talk to Him and learn about Him. Unsure he exists? Ask Him to show you how real He is… I promise you He will show up and do something so personal, that you will experience his realness in a way that you understand. That is how He rolls. He is deeply involved in every area of our life. Even the things we deem insignificant about our lives, are so so important to him. 

God loves his kids so much. Just as you can imagine how much you might love your kids (or fur babies or nieces and nephews), He loves us even more than that. I love the scripture that says, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts. unto your children, how much more shall your Father which. … is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11). It is such a powerful illustration to help us understand his love for us. 

Bottom line, to believe in any of what I am saying requires faith. So, to choose faith over fear, you need to build your faith. To recap, we build our faith by getting to know God and his heart. Some ways to do that is through prayer and learning His word. These practical actions will help build your faith muscles, so when you are in a situation, like what is happening around the world right now, you will have the wisdom to combat your fear and know you can always trust God with the outcome.

The Corona virus does not scare me. Instead of fear and worry, I choose faith. I choose to be thankful for my family’s health and am legitimately excited for what God has in store for us. How can I be excited? Because my faith is bigger than my fear and my faith is rooted in a strong foundation. A foundation that is solid and will not be shaken.

Yes, I will still be wise and listen to the health professionals and goverment authorities. I will social distance and wash my hands, etc. However, this virus will not dampen my mood or ruin my days. Actually, when I look at it from a different perspective, it has actually enhanced my life in so many ways.

Life as we know it has forever changed. Even after this pandemic is over, life will have shifted and taken a new direction in many ways. I pray we come out of this better than before.

I truly believe, God isn’t going to use this situation as a setback, but he is using it to set us up for something better! Something greater  is in store for our families, our businesses and our futures. That’s how amazing He is…

Every day is so much brighter and beautiful because of God’s love for us. I mean, He sent his perfect son to earth, with the purpose to die for us. That is love unspeakable. A love we won’t find anywhere else – ever. I pray everyone reading this, that hasn’t had an understanding of how much God loves us, would get that revelation this Easter. 

If you feel fear is gripping your mind stealing your peace and joy, please know, that is not from God. I pray you and your families stay healthy and safe and are blessed beyond measure during this uncertain season. Please know, you are not alone. I am here if you have any questions or just need someone to pray for you.  

Thanks for reading – stay well!