Here’s the Thing
If only I could get out of my own head…. l could walk in Victory, but here is the thing…….I have heard some preachers refer to their sanctified imagination in gist when preaching a sermon and one day while sitting at my desk at work I wondered, if using my sanctified imagination, what would happen if Faith and Fear got into a boxing ring on my behalf, who would win? Here is the thing, this kind of thinking is not something that we broadcast. It is one of the secret things if we are honest about it that we keep to ourselves. And we do not necessarily share it with anyone else. Anyway, real or imagined….in the Apollo Creed vs Rocky Balboa; or Ali vs Frazier fights each found the other to be a more worthy opponent. If nothing else you knew it was going to be a good fight, because of who was in it; and there could only be one winner. Here’s the thing, I’m not a boxing fan and I don’t buy into the hype, but I know a good fight when I see one. And usually the worthiest opponent, the one with the most training, the one who is most fit, and the one who is most tested…. wins. Many of us have been on this “Faith-Walk” for many years now. We have a working definition of what Faith is and how it works. We have the Bible, its references, and countless examples of how faith is played out in the lives of those who belong to God. They are and have been our shining examples, including Jesus Himself, but here’s the thing…. somehow when fear creeps in, or when we open the door to it, we fall into unbelief; quick, fast, and in a hurry. I want to be better. I want to believe more. I want to stop doubting. I want to stop being afraid. I want to stop holding my breath. I want to let go of what I have been holding onto that I think is my salvation, but here’s the thing… I am afraid……and I do not know if I can take a punch.
Pastor Jim, in our recent Spiritual Life Conference, made the most eloquent, impassioned, and factual case for Faith in Jesus Christ that I have ever heard. And it is not like I have not heard what he said before, but his persuasive, unapologetic offering stirred me and awakened my sleeping faith again, and I knew I had to get up again. My faith has been in the boxing ring so many times with my fear, that when the battle arises rather than fight, I have protected my faith by hiding it. Therefore, I am guilty of letting my fear win. Fear is a bully, and it takes us, hostage, in so many ways, and holds us for so many days until we are ashamed to admit it. When I have not had the solution to life situations concerning my health, my children’s well-being, or just life in general, I have held my breath, while fear punched the life out of me, even knowing that Jesus is a more worthy opponent. And here’s the thing, we all sat in silence for three nights, in Pastor Jim’s class, and listened intently to his proof that Jesus is a more worthy opponent, and that our faith is built on what God the Father planned for us, what Jesus, His Son purchased for us, and the protection that we have in the Holy Spirit of God, who continues to provide for us. We know that the Battle is already won, and in the end, we walked away in victory, proclaiming how good it was to have been there.
We often forget God’s presence and power when we face uncertain and difficult times. Our faith falters and we doubt that God is with us. Sometimes even doubting that He is real, and who He says He is. God knew that we would struggle with unbelief and He has spoken reassuring words to us through the Bible. When you begin to doubt and feel that you are not up for the battle we ought to “Let the Word of the Word Encourage us.” (Carol Antrom). Like me, I hope you will read these Bible verses and pray that God will renew your heart and mind toward who He says He is and who He says we are, and be encouraged as you see God move through all circumstances in life to grow our faith.
· 1 Thessalonians 2:13 – ”And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.”
· 1 Timothy 4:10 – “That is why we labor and strive because we have our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.”
· Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
· Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
· Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.”
· Isaiah 35:4 – “Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘be strong, do not fear, your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution, he will come to save you.”
· 2 Timothy I:7 – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
· Romans 8:15 – “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ”Abba, Father.”
So here’s the thing, using your sanctified imagination … if Fear and Faith got into a fight on your behalf…who would win?
Submitted By Deaconess Irene Gardon