Is your faith bigger than your fears?

'The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone. But make you fear a visitor and not a resident.' Max Lucado

Faith is 'confidence or trust in a person or thing'. Also faith is 'belief that is not based on proof'. Fear is 'a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid'. (Source: Dictionary.com)

Fear is a powerful and vital emotion

When faced with challenges and nothing seems to go right, it's easy to lose faith. We lose faith in ourselves and in knowing that we accomplish a specific task or that things will get better. And when this happens, it is natural to feel fear. Fear is a powerful and vital emotion. It is a natural response whether the danger is real or perceived. It is because we feel fear that we can respond to real dangers such as if we are caught in a fire. Fear may also come to the fore in situations that are not dangerous, such as when you are about to do an exam or make a speech in front of an audience. The fear you feel can for a short time or it can be for much longer. It is when fear moves from being a 'visitor' to being a 'resident' that there is cause for concern. This is when deliberate efforts ought to be made to manage the fears.

How can you move fear from being a 'resident' to being a 'visitor'?

The first step in dealing with your fears is to answer two questions. What makes me afraid? Why does it make me afraid? Having done this, you may face the fear if you can or you may seek to avoid those situations that may elevate your sense of fear. If it isn't possible to deal with the fear on your own, you may seek help from external sources such as visiting a health professional or talking to persons who have had similar challenges and have found ways to overcome.

If you decide to face the fear, faith could be the key. You can use your faith to get rid of fear, stress, and anxiety (stress and anxiety are usually present when we are afraid). I am sure you have heard the phrase "stepping out in faith". Simply put, faith is taking the next step in a dark tunnel, although you don't see any light up ahead.

How can you 'step out in faith'?

1. Recall past situations when you were fearful but overcame

When you face situations that seem insurmountable, recall when you made it through similar situations in the past. Believe that, in the same way you made it through in the past, you will make it through now. Of course, I am not saying that you should ignore your problems. It is expected that you will take action to respond to or overcome whatever you are facing. At the same time, however, particularly when there is nothing you can do, it's important to have faith that the situation will improve.

My mother passed away when I was at the end of the 2nd year of pursuing a Bachelor's degree at university. She passed away two days before my first examination. And my first reaction was panic. My mother was my rock. How was I going to manage without her? And then thought of all they sacrifice she made to ensure that my brother and I had the necessities of life, including an excellent education. I thought of the fact that while she was in and out of hospitals battling breast cancer and the negative effects of the chemo treatment and medication on her body, she always encouraged me to focus on my studies. So, I resolved to make my mother proud and sit my first exam (Spanish). I recall that it was hard to concentrate, and that I was the first one to complete the exam. I was convinced that I had failed, and that made me more distraught. I could allow myself to stay stuck in that state, however, because I needed to take action to ensure that I did not fail the other three examinations. The issue wasn't about my ability because I had been studying for the examinations; it was about the fact as the elder child; it was my responsibility to take care of my younger brother and make arrangements for her burial.

I sought advice from the faculty office and successfully got a deferral of the other three examinations. During my 3rd and final year of university they allowed me to sit two of the examinations (without having to redo the course work) and sit the final examination during the summer session. Because I had faced my fears and did not allow them to become 'residents', I was able to make attain an upper 2nd class honors degree and graduating with my peers. The road wasn't easy, but it was worth it. I believed that I could do it and I did. Besides my inner motivation, the thought that my mother was watching over me was source of comfort. I also had the support of some wonderful individuals, who are still in my life today. Surviving that traumatic event at an early stage made me realize that I was stronger than I thought I was. It made me realize that if you have faith and take action, you can overcome.

2. Seek God's advice before that of others

When faced with a challenging situation who do you turn to first? Is it your loved ones? Is it our friends? Or is it God? While your loved ones and friends may fail you because they may be amidst challenging situations themselves or because they have other priorities, God never fails. My Mom was a devoted Christian, so I was raised to have a strong faith in God. The faith that was instilled in me while growing up fuelled my inner motivation to successfully complete my university degree. God gave me the strength that I needed to go on. God gives us the strength or carries us when we feel as if we can't go on. The primary place for you to turn is the Bible. Below I will share a few bible verses about faith that you turn to when you face challenges or when you feel afraid.

A secondary source may be a few trusted and God-fearing persons that you know. They may not provide the answers that you need, however, it is good to have support when you are going through your challenges. I have found that I sometimes feel a little better just by talking about my challenges with a trusted friend. The challenges still exist and I still need to find ways to overcome, but just knowing that I am not alone, makes a difference.

Bible Verses about Faith (New International Version)

- Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

- God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

- Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, "Don't be afraid; just believe." Mark 5:36

- For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

- So that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power. 1 Corinthians 2:5

- If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:22

- Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

Step out in faith! Don't allow fear to be a 'resident' in your life. Instead, allow your faith to overcome your fears. Listen to "Overcomer" by Mandisa and be inspired. It is one of my favorite songs from the playlist for my zumba classes on Saturdays.

Love, laughter and light!