living by fear or by faith

The Warrior  series at The Community Fellowship has been very good and asked some questions that may help us accomplish more in life and to go further than we've gone before.  Our topic this weekend was "the hesitant warrior', and we talked about what keeps us from being who God has made us and called us to be.

 

One of the huge pieces that keeps us from taking risk and being people of faith is the amount of fear in our lives or how we deal with fear.

 

An excellent example of this is Peter as he walked on water with Jesus from Matthew 14:

 

Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. ²⁵ About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, "It's a ghost!" ²⁷ But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," he said. "Take courage. I am here!" ²⁸ Then Peter called to him, "Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water." ²⁹ "Yes, come," Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted. ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. "You have so little faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?"

 

We don't have much of a problem with Jesus walking on water.  He is God.  He can do anything.  But we have a problem with Peter walking on water.  One of the biggest difference between most of us and Peter is that Peter did get out of the boat.  Yes, he sank when he looked at his situation.  But he took some steps.  He got out of the boat.  He walked on water.

 

What is keeping us from living by faith or taking some risks in life?  Fear is a big piece.  It could be the fear of failure or of our past experience.  Yet we need to hear some truth from God ...

 

When our fear of failure exceeds our faith in God, we become hesitate.

 

At that point we won't live by faith or even really acknowledge that faith has a place in our lives.  Think about it.  What is keeping you from doing what God has called you to do?  By admitting whatever it is, you will lose God to be God and for you to live by faith like never before.

 

Are you a passive follower of Jesus?  It is time to leave fear behind, stop being passive and begin living out our faith as God intended.