Where Fear and Frustration Collide with Faith

There are things in life that reveal the inner depths of who we really are and what we really believe. Usually, it’s the difficult, painful, and scary trials, those things that are out of our control. We may question whether or not we ever really had it together. What do you do when fear and frustration collide with your faith.

Fear barrels over us, frustration fills us to the brim, and try as you may, it just seems impossible to muster up that mustard seed-sized faith.

Fear, Frustration, and Faith

Fear, frustration, and faith. They’re all related. Sometimes our faith brings about fear but most often fear and frustration make us believe we don’t have faith. They’re like the trio of chaos that doesn’t belong together but won’t let each other go either.

We’re living in a time that people want to call unprecedented. They say this is our new normal. Well, I don’t want a new normal! I don’t want to live in unprecedented times. I don’t want to conform to what everyone else is doing when for some reason, I’m seeing things that not everyone else is seeing.

Human Nature

Why are humans so quick to just follow what everyone else is doing? Is it because the “powers-to-be” tell them? Well, what if those “powers” are wrong? What if those powers are actually evil and they don’t have your best interest in mind?

Do you just follow someone just because you think they’re smarter, wiser, more powerful? That didn’t get me very far when I was trying for over two years to figure out why I was sick.

Bravery Doesn’t Mean You’re Not Afraid

In the past those who paved a way for better things like freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and just plain freedom – had to follow that deep stirring inside of them that told them, something isn’t right.

They didn’t conform just because everyone else was. It wasn’t that they were not afraid to stand up for what they believed in. I believe they were afraid. It wasn’t that they were being rebellious or defiant against something good, they weren’t.

These brave men and women stood up in fear and with bravery against what they believed was evil. They didn’t stand up against evil by being evil. They were not hateful, disrespectful, or destructive.

They saw what no one else saw. They stood against the multitude in order to stand for what was right. They stood even though they knew they could be thrown in jail, persecuted, or even put to death. So many of us are afraid to speak out because someone might argue with us or insult us.

Where would we be without those brave souls who paved the way for our freedoms? Or the brave warriors who insist on better medical treatment? Or those who stand up for religious freedom!

Those brave people are just like you and me but they move in fear. Some of these brave people may have had a direct calling by God to do the work he was calling them to do. Some just knew that if evil men continued, that they and their families would suffer the consequences.

The Times We Live In

We live in a weird time but it’s not unlike many of the times of the past. Men will always try to dominate one another. They will always have evil at the core of their being. That is unless they choose to turn to the Savior of their souls. It is only through transformation by the Holy Spirit through the blood of Jesus that man can be changed and made new. Made kind, loving, generous, and made to peacemakers.

My Own Fear and Frustration

Right now I’m living in a place of frustration mixed in with a gripping fear that tries to strangle me when I least expect it. This fear grabs a hold of my thoughts every time I crawl in bed at night and it’s the kind of fear that turns on the faucet of tears at the most unexpected time.

My frustrations are deep and stir up this war inside of me. I like to be in control. I need to know what to expect tomorrow. My checklists need to be organized and checkable. And yet I feel as though I can’t do anything about the things that are controlling my thoughts and my heart.

I tend to pick up on the feelings of others. I feel the fear and anxiety of those around me when I go out in public. I feel the anger, the hatred, and the chaos. If I’m not careful it can overwhelm me.

When my fear and frustration take hold of me or when yours takes hold of you, you may feel like there is nothing you can do. You may feel powerless, hopeless, or lost but you’re not.

We Have Help

If you have been saved by the blood of Jesus, you have the power of the Holy Spirit inside of you. He is your helper, your strength, your teacher. The Holy Spirit gives us peace when we ask for it. He directs our way. He brings to memory the holy passages of scripture to ease our souls from striving. He reminds us who God is and that He is faithful.

There is much you can do when you feel like everything is out of control. It doesn’t matter if the entire world is burning or if it’s something only burning within you. You have a strength and help that can put out the raging fear and the destructive frustration that you’re wrestling with.

Comfort From Scripture

Just as the Psalmist, David, the man after God’s own heart cried out, so shall we.

Psalm 142

I cry out to the Lord; I plead for the Lord’s mercy. I pour out my complaints before him and tell him of all my troubles.

When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn.

Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me.

I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought!

No one will help me; no one cares a bit about what happens to me.

Then I pray to you, O Lord.

I say You are my place of refuge.

You are all I really want in life.

Hear my cry,

for I am very low.

Rescue me, my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.

Bring me out of prison so I can thank you.

The godly will crowd around me.

For you are good for me.

David goes on to cry out to the Lord in Psalm 143.

He says, Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning. for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk for I give myself to you.

Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, I run to you to hide me.

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.

May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.

For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life.

Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.

Fear and Frustration

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