Responding to Fear: Some days, I’m just not a good witness for Christ

I can write a daily blog about being the hands and feet of Christ.

And I can do my best to live out the things I write.

But some days — more than I’d like to admit — I really miss the mark. Especially in my response to fear.

God is working with me on this.

Let me explain.

I’m a husband to a beautiful wife. I’m a daddy to three incredible boys.

To be blunt, if my family’s security is threatened in any way, financially or otherwise, you might just see a “different” me.

You might see a me that’s impulsive — jumping quickly into survival mode.

You might hear me say some things that would make you question my faith.

A number of years ago, I felt so strong in my faith that I told God the following in an early morning prayer: “God, I feel so secure in my faith that I believe I could withstand anything the world would throw at me.”

Helpful hint: Never say that to God.

That afternoon, my wife called to tell me there was a $600 error in our bank ledger. Not our fault. But not in our favor, either.

As a result of an instantaneous fear of bouncing the mortgage check, I blew up. I let out a verbal tirade.

And once I took a moment to breathe, I could almost hear God’s voice say: “You’re not there, yet.”

I know this is a weakness and a sin. And because this is my weakness, I have come to admire and look up to people who can remain calm in the storm.

I’ve noticed that these people are usually older than me. Or they’re people who’ve endured devastating hardship — sickness, the loss of a loved one, a failed marriage, financial ruin — and, because they held tight to God, they can share their stories with a smile on their face.

We need to hear from people like that, people of great faith who can relate those experiences and share the hope of Christ with those of us who struggle with fear and uncertainty.

How has God helped you respond to fear and uncertainty?

 

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