FAITH ISN’T FEARLESS

(Post by: Lilly Hobbs)

I’ve always loved the words of the songs that Benjamin William Hastings sings, and this past week, I heard one of his songs for the first time. As I was intently listening to the lyrics, it felt as if the Lord was piercing my heart and inviting me to discover a deeper truth that my heart was searching for, though I had been previously unaware of its searching.

Don’t you just love when God does that?

The song speaks of waiting and God’s plans, doubt and the goodness of God, as well as faith and the invisible. Things which we all struggle to understand and grasp in our daily lives.

As you all know quite well by now, the suffering and the unexpected trials these past few months and the thought of future unknowns yet to be faced have put me in a pretty good wrestling match with the Lord some days.

Maybe you’ve been trying really hard lately. Trying really hard to wait on the Lord. Trying really hard to believe that He has good plans for your life and will accomplish them in His perfect timing. Trying really hard to have faith in what you cannot currently see, but know and have experienced to be true.

However, you’re also really fearful and scared and unsure.

I’m not sure about you, but it can seem wrong to feel all of those things when you do have faith that the Lord is so good and so faithful and doesn’t have the slightest ability to fail you.

Allow me to share the song Homeward with you, as I truly believe it will show you a deeper truth regarding this struggle we have…

I’ve asked You more than once to hurry up the plans
But what if where You want me is exactly where I am
‘Cause what I learnt from waiting, is waiting never lasts
Well, You didn’t bring me this far, just to bring me back
No, You’re too good for that

I hang on every word You ever said
For I know You’re faithful
And I’m still waitin’ on a wealth of promises
But I know You’re able
And if ever I stray, if ever I fall
Won’t You call me homeward
Oh, won’t You call me homeward?

Oh, sometimes I feel You
And sometimes I feel like I don’t
But faith’s more than feeling
It’s like seein’ the invisible
And yet somehow I see it
All that lies at the end of the road
And I don’t know the timin’
So I’m guessin’ it’s not mine to know
Lord, help me believe it
All those days when I feel like I don’t
I’ve learnt faith isn’t fearless
It’s just trustin’ when you fear the most
And someday I’ll see it
Reach the house at the end of road
Should that road leave me lonely
Well, I know that I am never alone

One thing that has surprised me about myself is how frustrated I can become due to the fear, grief, or suffering I am experiencing. I had convinced my heart and mind that I shouldn’t give into feeling those things because faith doesn’t operate like that.

That’s not true, however. Faith isn’t fearless, and what matters in this struggle is how we address the fear we naturally experience. It’s an opportunity to trust the Lord with all that we are and all that we have.

So, the next time you’re frustrated by the fear you feel, remember, faith isn’t fearless. It’s just trusting when you fear the most.

SO, WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?

= Do you view fear as an opportunity to trust the Lord more fully?

= What struck you while reading this post?

= What are you going to do differently?