Tag: Faith

Fear has several dictionary definitions:

1. 1. An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat.
   2. A feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something or the safety and well-being of someone.
   3. A mixed sense of dread and reverence [refers to God]. 

Countless situations initiate fear. We will not speak on the physical dangers of where someone or something threatens our physical safety because God has given us a “fight or flight” [stay or run] system in which the body prepares to protect itself.

The third definition of fear is one that all believers should challenge because it refers to God, our Creator, and Heavenly Father. When we love God, we do not have dread. Our fear is reverence and awe of God. But truthfully, if we believe that God is Omniscient and Omnipotent–that He is fully aware of our hardships, problems, and situations before they happened then what is the basis for our fears?

We have two issues: 1. Lack of faith. 2. Focusing on our limited abilities.

Fear is an age-old problem. Even with God’s countless promises, miracles, and deliverance, we still fear our circumstances. Our minds immediately become bombarded with the thoughts of how we will take care of yet another problem or life event. 

The Israelites also lived with fear, and God comforted them: “When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you! For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!” Deuteronomy 20:1, 4

Jesus’ disciples who had seen the power of God through Jesus, the Son of God required comfort: That Sunday evening, the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. John 20:19. 

How is that possible? Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Matthew 26:40. The disciples also had the same deficit that many of us have: Limited time spent with God in prayer.

I asked my mother, who is 87 y/o this question: “Why do modern-day believers have so many doubts and fears?” She responded: “They do not pray enough. It is not enough to pray one or two times a day.”

Last night, I prayed for God to reveal the answer to alleviating all of our fears and wavering faith. This morning, my sister-in-Christ sent me the following devotional reading:

DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. – Isaiah 65:24

God who heard Daniel’s Prayer will hear ours when we come to Him in contrition [repentance]. … It is a part of God’s plan to grant us, in answer to the Prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow, did we not thus ask. – Great Controversy, p.525. Ellen G. White

• A Point To Ponder •

The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray. – Samuel Chadwick

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 is not an option when serving God. It is a privilege to pray to the God who sees all, knows all, and lovingly cares for us. God always answers prayers. 

It is time for us to acknowledge the ceaseless love of our Heavenly Father by communicating more frequently. When hardships hit like a tsunami, pray prayers of faith and thanksgiving. Who else can comfort us as God can? Who else can provide the answers?

Develop the habit of praying more and more each day. Your faith will strengthen and you will be confident in knowing that God will bring victory. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

God’s Promise: I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! Isaiah 65:24. Yes, God is aware of our challenges. Because we need reminders that we are to remain dependent on God, we are required to approach Him in prayer with reverence and humility. Be transparent and honest. God already knows that we are fearful with weak and wavering faith. Even so, verbalize your feelings in your prayers and thank God for hearing and answering your prayers. He knows, and He cares.

Bible Study: Deuteronomy chapter 20

Prayer: God, although you have taken care of our challenges in the past and performed mighty miracles, we are still are overwhelmed with fear. We acknowledge that we are not praying enough, nor do we have the faith and trust needed to serve you. Please forgive us for our lack of communication, our doubt and unbelief. Thank you for the privilege of prayer and thank you for being our Jehovah Jireh–our Provider. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2021, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the author’s written permission.