When I awoke this morning and checked my email as I often do, I received a note that immediately kicked up my fear and anxiety. Reading it through and then trying to process its ramifications, I instantly began to recite a few verses of scripture that have pulled me along in times of adversity. This email warranted such a response on my part.

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14 NIV)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV)

Once I responded to the troubling email and my heart rate settled down, my wife and I decided to make our way to a local Christian bookstore. She had a gift card to spend from yours truly, and I needed the diversion from a myriad of fear-based thoughts. Yes, I am a work in progress when it comes to trusting God to take care of things so that I can remain still. I admit this is easier said than done.

Once inside the store, Diane, my wife, began to browse the books, and I wandered about, still brooding over my email and wondering how things were going to play out. Was I fully trusting God at this juncture? Not as much as I wish. Ever been there? It’s easy to recite Bible verses, but it’s another level of faith to fully leave things in the Lord’s hands and to be strong and courageous in the process. I’m trying to get there in my life.

Wandering about, I came across a wooden desk ornament with a metal cross mounted to the inside. The words “Let Your Faith be Bigger Than Your Fear “were etched onto the wood. I stood in place and stared at this for several minutes with my jaw open, feeling like God was trying to tell me something in as clear a way as He could without literally smacking me on the head. “I’ve got you, my child. No need to fear.”

When I showed this to my wife, she smiled and said, “Amen to that!” If this wasn’t enough, I then turned around and found another desk knick-knack that said 3 simple words, Strong and Courageous, with Joshua 1:9 printed underneath and a majestic buck standing tall at the bottom. “Okay, Lord, I get it!” I mumbled. Incidentally, my wife bought me the plaque to remind me that my faith needs to be bigger than my fear.

How about you? Is your faith bigger than your fear(s)? I believe that’s a place where we’d all like to be. I’d far rather find God’s peace and overcome anxiety through prayer and His word. Jesus will never fail us nor abandon us in our times of need and fear. I’ll leave you with another comforting verse of scripture from the Book of John that ties in with our faith, offsetting our fear.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)

Let’s remember that God has our back, always!  Faith Bigger Than Fear!

Paul Smyth