FAITH CHOICES
19th Mar 2014
Faith and fear both have voices. Faith constantly whispers, “you can do this”, fear tends to shout loudly, “you can’t and if you do beware”. The ‘voice of fear’ always limits and restricts, and the contrasting ‘voice of faith’ releases, encourages and keeps reminding us that “nothing is impossible with God.” (I am not referring to the natural fear that God has given us to warn us of danger and keep us safe.)
We are under the influence of those two voices on a moment by moment basis, and our choices depend of which speaks the loudest. God wants us to be listening to His voice and making choices according to what He says. We have His written word full of promises of His help and warnings not to be afraid. Proverbs 1:33 says, “Whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
I seek to live trusting God, looking for His directions and making ‘faith choices’ on a daily basis - that is my lifestyle. Imagine my surprise when I was confronted with the prospect of a day at a Water Park with my grandchildren in Australia. This was when fear started to speak very loudly in my ear. It presented itself as ‘common sense’, ‘rational thinking’, ‘wisdom’, but in reality is was ‘fear’. People of all ages were having fun on the water slides, the sounds of joy filled the air. Would I join in or sit and watch? I realised I was physically fit enough, and my grandchildren wanted me to share their fun - but fear was seeking to intimidate and restrict.
I made my choice, decided to launch down the slides, the first was fast, exhilarating and rather took my breath away! Soon I was enjoying every minute of it. However, fear could have robbed me of the joy I experienced. I did pray and ask for God’s protection, I assessed the situation and followed the voice of faith.
Check out in your life whether fear or faith are operating in your choices and choose to live “fear free”.
PS - Watch the video of Joyce on the watersides - Waterpark Fun - you can find it on the main page of this website
by Joyce Sibthorpe
