When I walked into the assisted living where mom is now staying, it was about 5 pm. She wasn’t at the dinner table where she normally would be at that time of day. They didn’t serve the food until about 5:30; but she always got there early to “make certain they didn’t forget her.” This time, I found her in her room with the lights off. She was lying in bed and kept saying, “I am just sick because I am so afraid I am going to run out of diapers. I couldn’t even sleep last night.” I went over to her closet to find she had over 50 pull ups there. She was in a complete panic. I could see the fear in her eyes. I tried to comfort her with the reality that she had more than enough to last at least two weeks and that I would bring them later in the week. No decrease in her panic. I reminded her that never over the 13 years that she lived with me did she run out of anything that she needed; because I had always provided. Still, no decrease in her panic. Again, I reminded her that I came regularly with additional things at least 2 times per week. She had a pantry of food in her room that I kept stocked, “just in case they forget her or are late.” Finally, I promised to return the next day with a fresh new supply of 72 more and then she was content.
DOES GOD WEEP WHEN I AM DOUBT HIS GOODNESS?
For me there was the blend of frustration and sadness, that after all I have done to try to ease her anxieties, she was still afraid over what for me are trivial things. Then I realized that for an all-powerful God who has provided for me every step of the way, how often I have sounded just like Mom sounded. Throughout the scripture, God has written; “do not fear for I am with you.” Yet, how often have I in my lifetime felt fear; even panic while awaiting His answer to something I am certain would now seem trivial. How often in my lifetime have I caused God sadness because I didn’t see that He was enough? Jesus wept when the crowd did not recognize that He had come with the gift of life to raise Lazarus from the dead. He had come to demonstrate His Glory that they might have joy in Him; yet, no one saw that(John 11). Have I caused Him to weep when I have failed to trust Him? He is all I need. He is working out the best for me. He has promised to be faithful and to complete the work He began in my life.
FAITH TO STAND FIRM IS ANCHORED IN THE GOSPEL TRUTH.
Even after, Abraham’s fear and lapse of faith in the city of Gerar (Genesis 20); God fulfilled His promise and Isaac was born. All of the years that had passed, God had been steady at work transforming Abraham- one Glory at a time, one ounce of faith at a time until Abraham’s faith could stand the test that God needed to demonstrate Christ’s future coming. “17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure” (Hebrews 11). This act of faith came after years of training in God’s school of faith.
WHY DID GOD TEST ABRAHAM’S FAITH?
God wanted to show the generations to come; that He would provide the only sacrifice that could take away sin once and for all. For Abraham and all the generations until Christ birth, that was a future event. For us, it is done and we need only receive that gift of atonement. “10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all… 12 But this man (Christ), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.14 For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us” (Hebrews 10). God already knew what Abraham would do. After all, God had prepared Him for just a moment as this.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
1. What act of great faith to demonstrate His Glory has God been preparing you for?
So, to answer the original question? Can Fear engender Faith? Only in the hands of an Omnipotent, Omniscient, Sovereign God who works all things together for good to those who love Him. So, the question then is: Do you know Him as your Father? Have you accepted the gift of His Son for the atonement of your sin? Do you love Him? If you don’t know then please write me or go to my page How to be Saved to learn of Him.
I would love to hear your stories of how God transformed fear into faith in your life and used that for His Glory. You can COMMENT HERE.
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header is Ronald Barba. Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.