Is there a paralysis in your faith due to fear? By Kimberly McCants

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17 (NIV)

In other words, our faith grows or develops in a healthy or vigorous way, when we spend time in God’s Word. Faith feeds on the Word of God. God made it so that our faith works much the same way our bodies work. He designed us to require daily nourishment. So, a few cups of coffee in the morning, a salad at lunch and a nutrition bar before we go to bed is not enough to sustain us physically. We know that we need real food (fruits and vegetables, proteins and carbohydrates) to supply the nourishment we need to carry us throughout each day, although some of us do not do right when it comes to this. Similarly, a diet lacking a steady intake or flow of God’s Word cannot sustain us spiritually. Therefore, our faith weakens.

Faith is defined in the first verse of the faith chapter of the Bible, Hebrews 11: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Here Faith assures us that we will receive the things for which we hope for, and it supports the knowledge that we will receive them. If we obey God, the Bible has promises for blessings in this life. But we must obey God and trust him and his Word.  The Bible also tells us that if we obey God, we are promised for eternal life in the kingdom of God. Having Faith is the assurance that we will receive those promises. Faith is also the evidence or proof of what we cannot see or what we have not seen yet. Faith is the evidence or proof that God exists, and it is also the evidence that He will keep His promises, even though we have not seen those promises yet.

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV)

God might not answer our prayers immediately when we send prayers up to him; if He did, we would not need faith for very long. So that is why we say that God may not come when we call on him but he is always on time.

James 1:2-4 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” When our faith is tested by not receiving our desires right away, patience is the result. “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

 We must let God work with us to produce His perfect character in us, which is a benefit of faith. Do not allow Fear to paralyze your faith.

God had not given me a spirit of fear but a spirit of power and love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

The only way we can overcome fear is by first walking through it. We have to put our trust in God, realizing that even if our fears come true, that God will be with us. We have to learn to do what God has called us to do and fear not. When we actively put trust in the promises of God, fear loses its power. In order to walk in faith, we must be free from fear.

In closing, let's ask God to show us fears that paralyze our faith and keep us from living assuredly in His peace and freedom. And then let's give God an opportunity to come through for us as we boldly walk through our fears, holding God's hand and trusting His heart to lead, guide, protect, and keep us each step of the way.