“Facing Fear With Faith”
“Be Not Afraid” are comforting words we need to hear and hear often in such a time as we are living in today. Because of the increase in stressful conditions and violent crime in our world it is easy to be afraid…and it is very human and normal to experience fear. We are reminded in the Word of God how Adam felt fear after he sinned against God, how Abram feared for his life from Pharaoh because of his beautiful wife Sarai when they went into Egypt during a time of famine in the land and how others that God used mightily to fulfill his plan experienced feelings of fear as well. The question for the lover of God and disciple of Christ is what do we do about fear when we feel it? How should we respond to our feelings of fear?
Samuel Wells, Author and the dean of the chapel as well as the research professor of Christian Ethics at Duke University answers the question, “What do we do when we experience fear as a disciple of Christ” quite well in his book. In a word, using a very Biblical word, you face your fear or fears with Faith. It sounds simple enough but it can be and is difficult to do at times for us as mortals dressed in a robe of sinful flesh. But the good news as author Wells shares with us as the reader of his book, it is quite possible to face our fear and overcome it with faith
The book Be Not Afraid consists of six parts; the first being, “Be Not Afraid of Death.” The second part of the book is titled, “Be Not Afraid of Weakness,” Part 3 is “Be Not Afraid of Power,” and then in part 4, “Be Not Afraid of Difference,” and Part five, “Be Not Afraid of Faith,” and finally Part 6 is titled, “Be Not Afraid of Life.”
In each section Author Wells writes about how to specifically and practically face each of the six types of fear that we experience as humans as we are passing through this world on our way to Heaven where there will be nothing to fear and thus no more fear. Using Scripture, quotes and stories from the lives of real people, as well as the wisdom and understanding he has gleaned about fear, God and faith from his years of experience as a pastor, preacher, teacher, chaplain, community leader and fellow mortal, he is well qualified to encourage us as his reader that in all of life’s challenges, “Be Not Afraid.” And it is faith in God that he writes that is foundational for us to keep us from feeling fear as we experience the harsh realities of life and death, weakness, power, difference, faith and life.
In Part 1 author Wells writes about the one experience that all people probably fear the most and that is death. If it is not the thing that people fear the most it is definitely somewhere at the top of the list. In this part of the book he reveals to us “How to Die.” He also addresses the issue of whether God heals or not. And then in the final section of Part 1 he writes about what he refers to as the 5 W’s and how they are the 5 questions “you need to answer to have a good handle on any situation.” The questions are Where? What? Who? When? and Why?
It bears repeating that the author’s foundation upon which he builds his argument concerning the fact that we can face and properly handle our fears is based on his personal beliefs in the Sovereignty and Goodness of God. And I do agree with the author concerning his beliefs as I too believe in God’s Sovereignty and Goodness and have found since I have been a disciple of Christ that as I grow in my relationship with God and his Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it becomes easier and easier for me to face and handle my fears. And that is because I no longer have to face or handle the experiences that can cause me to fear on my own. I have and we all have as lovers of God and Disciples of Christ the person of the Holy Spirit and the living and powerful Word of God to encourage us and keep us strong in those times where we face life experiences that could cause us to fear. Not that I have attained a measure of perfection in regards to my response to life’s challenges as I have most certainly not, but with God’s help and enablement, it is getting much easier for me to face my fear with Faith.
In the remaining 5 parts of his book, author Wells addresses how we are to face and handle our fear with faith in regards to the areas of weakness, power, difference, faith in life. And to quote the words of our president, “YES WE CAN!”
I give this book 5***** and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to face their fears with faith for as sure as “God has made little green apples,” and “it does rain in Indianapolis in the summertime,” you are going to experience life which could cause you to want to fear. And if you read this book and the Word of God and apply what you learn, you will not just be able to “face your fear” but you will be able to overcome it triumphantly through your faith in the true, powerful and living God.
For more information about Be Not Afraid visit the Brazos Press website. http://www.brazospress.com/ME2/Audiences/Default.asp
To purchase a copy of this book click on the link Be Not Afraid: Facing Fear with Faith
I received a complementary copy of Be Not Afraid from Brazos Press for reviewing it.
The book sounds great. Thanks for sharing it! I’ll check it out.
My pleasure. Thanks for reaching out to me and for letting me know. God bless!