So much of life seems as if it just happens to us. The frustrations of heavy traffic when we're in a hurry to get somewhere, rain on a day when we planned an outside activity, or an unexpected expense when the car breaks down--any of these can leave us feeling as if life is out of control. This loss of control intensifies when with more devastating news like when we find out our job has been eliminated, someone we love has died, or when the doctor has shared an unwelcome diagnosis. That's when it's good to have a choice. We don't have to live in fear; we can choose faith. Pastor Ross Adelmann said it this way, "We are left with the choice to live in faith, not fear...to choose faith over fear, even when the fear is still there."
It's comforting to know that we do not have to be super Christians who are never allowed to fear. We are, after all, human, and God made us with feelings. To avoid or deny our feelings and keep them stuffed inside is not even healthy. But we can choose to not let them overwhelm us.
Isaiah 41:10 says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." The NIV Application Commentary explains, "Since the phrase 'do not be afraid' is repeated so often in this section of the book, we know it is a central issue for the people in captivity. They are afraid God has abandoned them, so Isaiah remind them again and again that this will not happen. Of course, they are not only afraid that God has left them, they are also afraid that their many enemies will overpower them." Hmm, sounds a little familiar, doesn't it? We, too, are often "taken captive" by our circumstances, fearful that God has abandoned us, and fearful that life will overpower us.
One method to combat our fear is the practice of using "bifocals of faith." This concept was introduced to me by my friend, Lezlee, and is found in Peter Marshall's prayer delivered to the U.S. senate in November of 1947. "We pray for the bifocals of faith--that see the despair and the need of the hour but also see, further on, the patience of our God working out his plan in the world he has made."
Too often we forget to use our distance lens and keep the bigger picture in mind. Unless we look up a bit, that which demands our immediate attention sometimes blocks our view of God's higher purposes. But He can use the little irritants, the big challenges, and the devastating hurts and losses to build our character, our dependence on Him, and our faith...to transform us "into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord..." (2 Corinthians 3:18).