Food for Thought: Fear vs Faith
by Ardith Hoff
The cartoon character Charlie Brown always seems to be concerned about something. In one comic strip in the series Charlie comes up with a new idea for dealing with life. Charlie explained, "I've developed a new philosophy: I will dread only one day at a time.": Reader's Digest, November 2014, p.28
This begs the question, why is he, or are we, in a state of dread at all? Yet some of us seem to hold onto the idea that things are getting worse and worse and there seems to be little hope of getting better any time soon. Once we get into a state of paranoia it is hard to think differently. Instead of seeing the possibilities for positive change, we tend to wake up dreading each day. Chronic health problems, relationship problems or even just a series of dreary days in the weather can all too easily get us down. It can be hard to see our way out of a funk, especially if many things are going wrong at the same time. We might start to think that there really is no way out––that there is no hope.
We humans seem to like to dwell on the negative. Somehow, playing the victim helps us feel like none of what happens to us is within our control. It gives us an excuse to look for someone or something to blame.
On the other hand, if we can have hope in the love and saving grace of God, that empowers us to reject anxiety and self-pity. When we are anxious about something that has happened or feel fearful about what's coming, we often respond in self-destructive behavior, which are just the opposite of love. We might think: "Well, if things are going to be bad tomorrow, I may as well get what pleasure I can today.” We might resort to something like overeating, drinking or drugs or even stealing. And the result of this is that we are so worried about ourselves that we have no incentive or strength to care about others, which is what God calls us to do. To counteract this kind of reaction, we need to put our faith in God and His power, presence and provision of grace. Whenever faith in God looks to a better future, it is called hope. And whenever hope rests on the grace of God, it is called faith.
Psalm 46:1-3 tells us: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble....” Let us opt in favor of faith instead of futility.