Bold Faith

Did you know there are 365 times in Scripture where we are told something along the lines of "do not be afraid?" That is one "do not be afraid" for every day of the year!

We live in times of great fear. Some of our fears are rational, others irrational. My wife, for example, is disproportionally afraid of spiders, shark attacks, or bear attacks. Fact: did you know you are 300 times more likely to die from a deer than from a shark attack? Granted, many of these incidents are hitting a deer while driving, but still, the reality is far from what we often perceive it to be. Another interesting one is that you are far more likely to be killed in a car accident on the way to the airport than in an airplane crash. Yet many people have a fear of flying and would prefer to drive.?

Now to be fair, I am terrified of clowns. I do not know why, but I know I am not alone in that one! I can also admit I am afraid of anyone in any costume. I am not a Disney World fan because of that, but the worst is people dressed as the Easter Bunny. I am pretty sure those are all serial killers behind that costume!?

Did you know one of the biggest fears people have is public speaking? Apparently, the fear of public speaking is more significant than many people's fear of dying! Personally, I do not fear death so much as I fear how I will die.?

On one mission trip, I had myself convinced I would not survive. So, the whole trip, I kept wondering how I was going to die. Towards the end of that trip, we had to get in a small canoe to the river we had to cross. Before we got into the canoe, we saw a crocodile swim right by. So, I became convinced I was going to be eaten by that crocodile. However, there was a small girl in our canoe. I decided the most heroic way to die in this scenario would be to jump in front of this little girl when the crocodile emerged from the waters and obviously went for her. I comforted myself with the fact that at least I would die a hero's death. I may not need to assure you that none of that fear was realized except in my head!

But on a serious note, our fears often hold us back from so much that God has for us. I almost did not go on that mission's trip because I was convinced I would die. Even though it turned out to be purely psychological, it was real, even if irrational. Someone once came up with the following acronym for fear: False Evidence Appearing Real. Some fears are real and can serve to protect us from harm. Often, however, the enemy of our souls tries to intimidate us into preventing us from moving forward in bold faith.?

Bold faith is not a facing life without fear. Courageous faith is facing life despite fear and in the face of fear. The word bold is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as?showing an ability to take risks.?In Hebrew, it means:?Forward to meet danger…Exhibiting or requiring spirit and contempt of danger…Somewhat overstepping usual bounds, or conventional rules.

When I think of bold faith, several biblical examples come to mind. Allow me to share just seven examples:?

1). David verse Goliath.

"As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him." -1 Samuel 17:48

The giant Goliath had the Israelite army shaking in their boots and frozen with fear due to his size, taunts, and intimidation. But the young shepherd boy David chooses to fight with bold faith, running towards the battle line and menacing giant, not away from it or him.?

Many times, however, we become paralyzed into inaction when faced with fear. Others of us run away from situations that put fear in our hearts. But not David! He ran towards that fearful giant with complete confidence and bold faith in God.

2). Caleb and Joshua

"Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." -Numbers 14:6-9