From Fear to Faith

Whenever we receive troubling or confusing news, it’s normal to feel unsettled, even to fear. But it’s what we do with those feelings that is vitally important. We can either turn to God or away from Him. Thankfully the Bible isn’t silent on these matters. Through both exhortations and examples we learn what it means to turn from fear to faith. One such example is Mary, the mother of Jesus. When she had every reason to fear she instead responded in faith.                                   The angel Gabriel had told Mary, “you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus” (Luke 1:31). Understandably, Mary asked how this would happen since she was a virgin (v. 34). Not surprisingly, the angel had an answer, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (v. 35). By faith Mary replied, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (v. 38). Not long afterwards Mary visited her relative, Elizabeth, who blessed her, “blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (v. 45). Such faith is confirmed in Mary’s song of praise (vv. 46-55), which echoes Hannah’s prayer (1 Sam. 2:1-10). This song, known as the “Magnificat” teaches us at least seven things to do when we’re tempted towards fear instead of faith.

1. Praise God.

In the midst of unsettling circumstances Mary sings, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47). One of the greatest temptations in the midst of suffering is to focus our eyes on our pain. It’s not wrong to acknowledge our pain before the Lord, but biblical lament teaches us to turn from our pain to praise. Here Mary begins with who God is—the Lord, her Savior. This puts our pain in perspective. When life as we know it is turned upside down we can still rejoice in God our Savior. Whether or not He delivers us from our distress, He is still the author of our salvation.

2. Recognize His grace and mercy.

Mary recognized that the Lord had “looked on the humble estate of his servant” (Luke 1:48). It is tempting to wonder, especially when life feels uncertain, whether the Lord is looking upon us at all. But Mary reminds us of an important truth. God’s favor doesn’t rest upon us because we’re great, but because He’s gracious. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Eph. 2:4-5). And God’s care for us doesn’t end. He continues to look upon us with grace and mercy. This should lead us to recognize “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (v. 10).

3. Understand God works from generation to generation.

Mary knew “from now on all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48). God works through the generations of those that He is calling out from the world to be His people in fulfillment of His promise to Abraham (Gen. 12:3). Instead of fearing the outcome of your circumstances, by faith consider how He might use your unsettling situation to accomplish His work in your life and the life of your children and grandchildren.

4. Consider His might and holiness.

By faith Mary understood “he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name” (Luke 1:49). At first glance, in the midst of confusing circumstances, we may not think God has done great things for us. But when we consider His might and holiness we will, by God’s grace, conclude He has indeed done great things in our lives.

5. Believe in Christ alone for your salvation.

Mary knew that God’s “mercy is for those who fear him” (Luke 1:50). Unsettling circumstances oftentimes remind us that our satisfaction, security, and significance is found only in Christ. Turn to Him by faith.

6. Know God’s kingdom is different than the kingdoms of this world.

The Lord “has scattered the proud” and “brought down the mighty” and “exalted those of humble estate” (Luke 1:51-52). Also, “he has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty” (v. 53). One of the things that leads us to fear is feeling like worldly dreams are slipping through our fingers. When we realize God’s kingdom is different than this world, we can trust His character and ways, even when troubled and confused.

7. Be comforted by God’s covenant promises.

Mary realized God’s covenant promises were coming to fruition, “He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever” (Luke 1:54-55). In the midst of confusion or trouble remember that the Lord is accomplishing big things through your small story.

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Dear believer, when you are tempted to fear, put your faith in God. Praise Him, recognize His grace and mercy, understand He works from generation to generation, consider His might and holiness, believe in His Son alone for your salvation, know His kingdom is different than the kingdoms of this world, and be comforted by His covenant promises.