Mark 5:36 ESV
But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”
Romans 14:23 ESV
But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
In our Christian life we are often faced with decisions, and many times we allow fear to impact what decision we make, and I believe that is especially true in the times that we live in now, but is really important that we understand that Jesus has called us to live by faith, not by fear. All of us are having to alter our lives at some level during this season, and the restrictions that our government officials are making seem to be getting tighter as they are doing what they know to do in the exercise of their public responsibility to protect the people that they are given stewardship over. I believe that one of the ways that we trust God is through our submission to those God has put in authority over us, but it is imperative that we submit in the disposition of faith, and not in the disposition of fear, because if you’re walking in fear you won’t have much clarity about what’s actually going on around you, and then the enemy can whisper all kinds of lies that will exacerbate the fear you already walking
Psalm 37:8b says, “Fret not yourself, it only leads to evildoing.” When we live in fear and anxiety, it leads to other sin, like anger, frustration, control, etc. the source of our security and joy has never been our paycheck, or circumstances of any kind. I know that when there are financial difficulties, we have to face practical decisions, but it is important, I would even say imperative, that we remember being anxious does not add one thing to our lives. It doesn’t bring in extra money, or change the circumstances one little bit, it only robs us of joy and emotional strength. Listen to what Corrie ten Boon said about worrying, “Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength – carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.”