Like you, there are days when the distance between the place of insecurity, discouragement, and fear, and the place of security, encouragement, and fearlessness, appear as a gulf too wide to cross, but there is a bridge.
We can all relate to the next two situations concerning tenuousness, and the evidence for your bridge to security, encouragement, and fearlessness.
The first is a situation from a man named David. He was a lover of God, trusted God, and was committed to him wholeheartedly. He had proven his courage in the past, as he once faced a bear and another time a lion and defeated them both.
However, there was another time when he was hiding from a guy named Saul in a cave. This moment was recorded for us to see David experienced insecurity, discouragement, and fear, for he said to God, “But when I am afraid…” Psalm 56:3. Yes David, the psalmist, king, and warrior, also experienced fear.
The second situation is in Mark 9:14-29, from a desperate father who was seeking help and healing from Jesus, “Have mercy on us and help us. Do something if you can.” Jesus responded to him saying, “What do you mean, ‘If I can?’ Anything is possible if a person believes.” To this the dad replied, I do believe, but help me not to doubt!”
Neither of these two situations ends here. God stepped in and provided the needed bridge from concern and fear to hope.
David’s momentary fear was not denied, and he quickly responded to the enemy’s threat by using one certain weapon to neutralize the fear of his adversary. David crossed the gulf from fear to fearlessness using the steadfast bridge of trust in God, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” (Ps 56:3).
Then, in the story of the desperate father, Jesus met the dad’s request with the very answer he’d asked the Lord for, “Have mercy on us and help us. Do something if you can!” Christ then extended mercy, and he stepped into the situation to do what others could not.
Jesus provided the bridge to fearlessness by answering the dad’s honest and desperate plea, and later used it as a teaching example for his disciples, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”
When the distance between the place of your insecurities, discouragement, and fear, and the place of security, encouragement, and fearlessness, seem a gulf too wide to bridge, here are some encouraging words to post in your heart:
- … there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God…encourages those who are discouraged. – 2 Cor 7:5,6
- Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’ – Luke 18:27.
- Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. – Luke 18:1.
- So, take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. – Hebrews 12:12,13.
- But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. – Isa. 40:31.
- I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation, I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
- Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! – Psalm 42:5,6.
Corrie ten Boom who survived the unimaginable cruelty of a Nazi concentration camp during World War II wrote The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not being able to do something, and enter God’s realm where everything is possible.
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. – 1 Corinthians 15:58
