Written by Kristyn Ewing. Media by Taylor Harpster.
It’s so easy to just want to hide away and wait out in a quiet place until the storm passes over. Right now, some are facing literal storms like hurricanes and earthquake. Others are facing metaphoric storms like cancer or other illnesses. The last thing we want while going through a storm is to be afraid and let that hinder us, but it happens—we are human. It comes down to this question: Are we going to hang onto our faith or our fear?
Fear. It is the lack of the unknown and often one of the biggest distractions in our lives. It cripples us and blurs our vision of reality. When we are living in fear, sometimes we just want to be left alone, feeling helpless. Fear can consume us and take us to a dark place where a wrecking ball just keeps swinging if we don’t do something about it. It takes coming to the realization that fear won’t change any situation we are facing in order to finally begin to tackle it. We don’t have to do this alone.
Peace. It is the sense of calmness, quietness, and order. Peace is stillness to our souls. When we are at peace, we feel as though all is at rest—feeling safe and secure. Peace is what we should be filling our lives with, especially in the midst of storms. Only with peace can we realize that the waves are just waves and that true peace comes from God alone.
Exodus 14:14 says: “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Patience. It is having tolerance, self-control, and endurance. No matter what state we are in during the storms of life, God is in control. We have to take the first step to seek Him, ask for help, and then we receive in His perfect timing peace that overcomes our fear. It’s more than just God who is with us, it’s family and friends who love and care about us. God brings people into our lives during times of trial and waiting to surround us with encouragement, love, and prayers when we are lost and in need of hope.
Psalm 107:28-31 says: “Yet when they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, the Lord brought them out of their distress. He calmed the storm and its waves quieted down. So they rejoiced that the waves became quiet, and he led them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his gracious love and for his awesome deeds on behalf of mankind.”
Faith. It is complete trust. It is confidence and assurance. Faith comes when we let go of our wants and help ourselves by trusting others. Faith takes vulnerability. It’s in the mist of the storm that we have to be confident and know that this will pass because that’s what waves do. We surrender on our knees, pray, and know that God has plans for us far greater than we can grasp. It’s making the conscious decision to not be afraid.
Isaiah 60: 1-3 says: “Rise up and shine, for your light has come. The shining-greatness of the Lord has risen upon you. Forsee, darkness will cover the earth. Much darkness will cover the people. But the Lord will rise upon you, and His shining-greatness will be seen upon you. Nations will come to your light. And kings will see the shining-greatness of the Lord on you.”
“Faith over fear”’ is a universal reminder that speaks volumes in many lives. It’s so much easier to live a life of fear, yet we are not called to remain in our comfort zones. We are called to live fearlessly and trust in God, for it is with God that the storms in our lives are so much more bearable.
Hi Kristyn, we just got back from Co. and read your article and it is spot on. Sometimes it is easier said than done but as you said GOD IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL and I would rather have it in His hands than mine. That being said, I have to have the faith in all situations that He wants even more for us than what we could want or need.