When Fear Overwhelms

Have you ever been so discouraged that you wanted to die? That’s how the Israelites felt. They had come to the very brink of entering the Promised Land, but they were allowing their fear to overwhelm them.

Faith and worry can’t coexist. When faith walks in, worry walks out. And when worry steps in, faith walks out. They don’t get along.

Have you ever planned to have people over for dinner, but you knew that some of them wouldn’t get along? You couldn’t invite this person or that person because they’re always getting into an argument.

That’s how faith and worry are. They cancel each other out.

The children of Israel had lost perspective. But Caleb and Joshua, who brought an encouraging report about the Promised Land, urged them, “Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” (Numbers 14:9 NLT).

These people were facing difficulty, just as every Christian will. The Christian life is not a cakewalk; it’s a conflict. The Christian life is not a playground; it’s a battleground.

God doesn’t want us to run from the giants in our lives. He wants us to attack them. For example, let’s say that you’re facing the giant of addiction. Bring your giant out in the open into the light of day. Make yourself accountable to someone. Realize that you can’t defeat this giant in your own strength. Call on God and pray for His power.

Deal with your giants. Don’t let them conquer you.

We want faith in our lives, not worry. Someone has wisely said that when you trust, you do not worry, and when you worry, you do not trust. Let’s face the obstacles before us with great faith.