Fear Travels Fast, But Faith Travels Faster

I think it’s ironic that a popular quote recently has been, “Let’s stay home.”

I’ve seen it written on cute plaques and house decor and often heard things like, “Staying in is the new going out.”

As the world is forced to slow down for a time, we have a rare opportunity to look inside ourselves and reevaluate what’s really important. We can choose to soak God and His Word in and give more focused care to the people and needs right in front of us.

Serving others is a natural remedy for reducing fears or anxieties, and people remember who was there for them in the midst of a crisis.

Do you have a friend who struggles with anxiety? Reach out to her, even if you’re wrestling with that yourself.

RELATED: Anxiety Says Be Afraid; God Says I Am With You

Do you know a single mom who could use some help managing an already-stressful load?

Is there anyone at a nursing home nearby your kids could mail pictures or letters to? Could you write to those in jail?

Is there anything you could grab for someone when you dare to venture out to the store?

As you’re deep cleaning, do you see any donations you could make to your local rescue mission?

Can you babysit for someone so they can work or make a needed trip to the store? Or can you take time to just play with your own kids and teach them things you didn’t feel you had the margin for before?

Is there a song God’s been prompting you to write? What creative thing can you do while being safe and discerning?

So many people are fighting for stability and security right now in the midst of fear, grasping for something they can trust to keep them safe.

We have Someone we can trust inside of us.

We have something sure and secure in a world of chaos, confusion, and loss.

No one can do everything, but we can all do something. And we can all offer hope. As we take this time to stay inside and look inward, let’s not forget the many ways we can reach out.

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And if you’re feeling at all anxious or afraid, let Jesus speak these words to your heart right now:

“Fear not for I am with you . . . I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you” (Isaiah 41:10).

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (James 14:27).

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

I have a friend with a little girl who struggles with fear. Any time she is afraid, my friend reminds her to say these words in her sweet toddler voice:

“I am a child of God. I will NOT be afraid!”

We are children of the Creator God. We have hope anchoring our souls that we can offer in a world in chaos. We will be fine, because the One who breathed us into existence has breathed His Spirit into us.

So let’s allow this isolation to bring about more intentional efforts to start chain reactions of love, hope, and prayer. Stillness and praise are some of our greatest weapons again the enemy. As we worship and rest in Him, He will move in ways beyond our comprehension.

A virus may travel fast, but I’m confident that our worship and prayers are far faster.

RELATED: God’s Plans Are Greater

So let’s let the world see and remember that we were the ones who showed up, just like Jesus has done for us. And during moments when we are tempted to hide behind our fears, let’s push against that and reach further out.

Let’s never forget how far Jesus reached out for us.

Jesus, in a world driven by fear, help us rest in childlike faith and share it freely with those around us. Help us remember it’s all a breath, but that each moment here can impact eternity. Help us actively be still, knowing the greatest battles and victories are often the ones unseen.

During this unique time when we stay home, help us to confidently and creatively be the ones who show up.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10).

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Articles by Stephanie Kramm

Stephanie Kramm

I'm a wife and homeschool mama of four adventurous boys and two miscarried babies I look forward to holding in Heaven. I enjoy music, art, and rare quiet moments in nature with a book and some chai. My Master’s is in counseling and I am passionate about advocating for at-risk women and children around the globe. I’m a contributing writer for the facebook pages Snips & Snails & Warrior Tales and this mere breath.

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