On Fear, Faith and Avoidance
Bible Study with Rohi🪷- part 3
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”
Hebrews 11:1 NLT
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 NKJV
Faith is the foundation of a relationship with God, and that’s precisely why it’s not the easiest thing in the world
I struggle with faith, some weeks it’s strong and solid,
Other weeks it fades, because I’ve begun to act like I need to be the one in control, making sure that things work, and sometimes because my fear of having to fulfill high expectations holds me back.
My personal favorite translation of Hebrews 11:1 is the New English Translation
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 NET
Faith is difficult because our impulse is to seek proof; evidence.
Even of the things that are beyond us.
Why does science exist? The search for proof
Why does criminal law exist? The search for proof, because we think it’s owed to us, we think it’s right
Why does philosophy exist? The search for proof and even within that search for proof — the question of whether that proof exists at all
But faith, in its simplest form, is learning to trust.
To trust in the word that God has given us because that is our proof — That is the evidence of the realities to come.
Faith is trusting God’s word in Luke 1:37, that with Him, nothing is impossible; or as NLT puts it, His word never fails.
So you believe that when things are falling apart; they are falling into place.
You trust that He knows His plans for you, and they are plans of peace.
You trust that the fear of being more than you are now, doesn’t come from Him.
You trust that just as he gave his son for your sake; years after it had been prophesied and years before the mere thought of you was conceived; every word He has spoken towards you and for you will come to pass
“Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.”
John 12:36 NLT
One of the ways I understand Christianity best is seeing it through the lens of being like Christ,
Because that’s why the apostles were first called Christians in Antioch,
They didn’t choose the name,
It stuck to them because Christ was exactly what everyone else saw in them.
In my school, light is scheduled. (aside from when NEPA; or whatever the agency is called now in Osun State😭; decides to give us light)
In the morning, there’s light from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. In the evening, there’s light from 7:00pm to 10:00pm (or 12:00) during exams,
I’m not saying that schedule has been followed to the letter every day since I entered this school — that would be a lie,
But every day, we plan ourselves according to it,
We wake up early to iron before the lights go out,
We plug in our devices so that they’ll have time to charge before 10:00,
Whether we like it or not, we trust them to some extent, because it’s what has been promised to us.
Now those are men;
Fallible, uncertain, easily disappointing,
This is God, who has gifted you His own son, and a whole book of promises,
You trust Him, not just because of what you can get, but because there’s no where else you’d rather be,
Because it’s simple. Because it’s right.
“Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.””
John 11:41-42 NKJV
Another important thing to know is Faith is a community.
In John 11:42 and at so many other times, Jesus prays out loud,
Not because he thought it was the only way God would hear him,
But for the benefit of those who followed him,
To strengthen their own faith; to release them from their unbelief.
It’s fine to admit that your faith is wavering to your Christian community,
(Bear in mind that this refers to a loving Christian community, not one that will condemn you or throw stones when they’ve also been there)
It’s better to admit it, even; because that might be how you find reassurance and peace,
And it’s good to be a fellow Christian’s reminder that faith doesn’t need to be a lonely endeavor.
If even a little faith can move mountains, why can’t your faith can pull others up too? Why can’t the faith of others give you hope as well?
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
I’m very familiar with fear, and I’ve recently had to be honest with myself and accept that I have an avoidant attachment style and it’s not a form of protection, it’s unhealthy.
It’s most unhealthy because it affects my relationship with God,
I don’t ask for much because I convince myself that I’m not supposed to ask at all,
My faith gets weak, because I think I’m supposed to do things on my own, and I’m scared of trying to depend on someone or something, only to be left stranded,
All in all, it just stops me from being with Him fully, the way I should be.
But faith isn’t just believing that God is, it’s believing that He is your best friend, and nothing is a little thing or a big thing to Him when it comes to you.
He cares about everything.
Without faith, it is impossible to please Him,
Because who are you pleasing if you don’t even trust Him?
The short form of everything I’ve tried to say?
Faith involves trust, and letting yourself walk with God in simplicity, like a child who simply trusts their parents because they are certain they can.
Trust involves knowing that things might not go exactly the way you’ve imagined in your head,
But everything is still aligned with God’s plan.
I pray that this was a reminder that your faith is your love
When things get heavy, or when just living feels hard, I pray you remember who God is, and you remember that He chose you, and He’ll never let you go.
Chai, woman of God!🥹🤍