Worry, Fear, Stress and Faith

November 21, 2014

How many times have you heard the phrase – “Don’t worry about it” when your completely stressed out over something?  What is your reaction when someone says that to you – “OK, thanks” – when deep down you’re thinking – “easy for you to say, you don’t know what I’m going through or what I’m thinking”.  Sure there are times when we are afraid/worried/stressed out about physical things – what if I have cancer?  Or, I have to walk through a cemetery at midnight to get home.  But how much more so are the fears and anxieties that we’ve created that rattle around in our minds?  You know the ones that keep you up at night staring at the ceiling: if I don’t pass this test, I may fail this class; what if my parents find out I got a dent in the car?  What if I’m pregnant?  What if no one likes me?

We were having a discussion around our house a while back and I asked the question – “What is your greatest fear?”  While there were a number of answers including being alone, our children being hurt and of course snakes, I answered that my biggest fear was being a disappointment to those I love and to my heavenly Father.  We live in a performance based society that says you are only loved if you’re the best.  You have to get the grades and be the best on the field or court or in the theater or band.  And oh by the way, if you’re a Christian, you have to have it all together all of the time.  You know that God says “Fear Not” or “Don’t worry” nearly 100 times.  So surely if you’re a Christian, you must live a carefree, worry free life, right?  Otherwise, you must not be a very good Christian.

So we pretend.  When asked, we say “oh I’m fine” while all the while we are struggling with doubts and fears and anxiety and loneliness.  We put a smile on our faces and hope no one notices.  Why??  Because we don’t want anyone to think less of us for being unsure or afraid.

I was speaking to my brother a few weeks back and was sharing with him some of my concerns and anxieties and I said to him: “You know Adam, I feel like the father who says to Jesus, ‘I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief’.  I love God with all of my heart and I know He will never leave me nor forsake me.  I know he says I shouldn’t fear, but I’m worried and don’t know what to do.  I feel guilty for not believing in God’s word.  I feel guilty for not trusting.”  His response struck me with such power, I had to share it with you.  He said “Scott, there is no faith without fear”.

Hebrews 11 lists a whole host of people often called the heroes of faith.  Ordinary people God used to change the world.  Often when we read this passage, we think “I could never be used like that.  I’m not a superhero of faith.  I’m not sure if I even trust God at all.”  Well, let’s spend a couple of minutes looking at a couple of these “heroes”.  If I asked you who some of the super Christians were in the bible – real heroes of the faith – names like Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, Paul and of course Jesus would be mentioned.  What do all of these superheroes of faith have in common – they all had moments of doubt, fear, anxiety and stress?  They all had moments where they didn’t know what to do or if they were going to make it.  But God intervened.  God used those moments to increase their faith in Him.

Take a look at these moments:

• God told Abraham and his wife Sarah they would have a child and their descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky – they had to wait until he was 99 and she was 90 for God to deliver on his promise!
• Moses argued with God because he feared public speaking.  Just think about that a second – God is speaking to you through a burning bush and you argue with him and tell him to pick someone else to lead the Israelites out of Egypt?  Seriously?! That’s anxiety!
• David, the slayer of Goliath, ran away and hid like an animal in a cave from both King Saul.  Yes that David.  The most famous King of Israel, father of Solomon and writer of nearly all of the Psalms but also an adulterer and murderer.
• Peter, named the Rock by Jesus, walked on water until doubt and fear clouded his mind and he sank.  And we all know what happened before the rooster crowed on the night Jesus was betrayed.
• What about Paul – arguably the greatest preacher of the Gospel in history?  How stressed out was he when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus?  How many times did he face the threat of torture and death?
• Finally, let’s look at Luke 22:41-44.  The Word says Jesus was so stressed and in so much agony, he sweat blood.  I submit to you, it was at this moment that our future salvation was purchased.  God in the flesh decides despite the agonizing pressure of the weight of sin on his shoulders that he will continue to obey His Father’s direction and submit to the crucifixion for our behalf.

So, coach what are you trying to teach us?  If you don’t remember anything I say today, I want you to remember 3 things.

1. First of all, it’s okay to feel doubt, anxiety and fear but it's not okay to live in a fear.  It's not okay to let those feelings overwhelm you.  It's not okay to let them become a component of your everyday life.  We all get stressed out and we all have moments that freak us out completely, but when you said yes to Jesus, you told him you trusted Him to handle all of those things that cause you worry. 
2. Remember, God loves you.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  When you go through those moments of doubt or fear God will use them to build your faith.  Remember, our God is one of love and grace.  He does not love you any less when you don’t trust Him.  He loves you without condition.  He loves you and wants to take care of you.  You just have to recognize you need him and ask him to take care of you.
3. God isn’t looking for perfect people.  He is looking for people who recognize they need him and his gift of salvation.  You can go through life trying to do it all on your own; worrying or you can live in peace as described in Matthew 6:24-34 and Philippians 4:6-7.

So as you go through your day, you may doubt the answer on a test; you may doubt she likes you; you may doubt if you can get into college; you may doubt whether or not your outfit makes you look fat, but never doubt for a second that you are loved by the Creator who created you unique and unbelievably special.  There has never been; nor will there ever be another you.  He created you out of love to accomplish His purposes.  He will always love.  He will always forgive and He will always answer when you reach out to Him.  So live your life with peace of mind and a smile on your face knowing that nothing can separate you from the love of God.