Faith in Fear by Andrea Thom

Faith in Fear by Andrea Thom

by | Nov 26, 2020 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement

Fear. It robs peace, paralyzes progress and incites ongoing worry. It can creep onto the throne of our hearts in sly, slow progression, or as a catastrophic blast in the wake of overwhelming circumstance. Do you ever fear? Fear transparency? Fear of battling what you face?

Cover for Mistletoe Movie Star
In Mistletoe Movie Star, we see characters like Char exercise faith – not in the absence of fear, but in the midst of it. The Mistletoe characters often fear transparency. Char feared a broken and bare heart in the hands of Jonas Blade. Jonas feared rejection in the absence of fame or any humanitarian success to commend him. Natalie feared the exposure of her impoverished living circumstances. One of the greatest human needs is to belong – to be fully known yet fully loved anyway. To be accepted - not in the absence of our failings, but in the presence of them. To be adopted into committed intimacy with God and one another. Our longing to belong is inescapable – it reflects our Designer who Himself is community – being Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Char exemplifies Christ’s acceptance of the destitute girls when she leaps to embrace them in distress and persistently advocate for their adoption. She knew that when Jesus’ hands were nailed onto pieces of wood, He surrendered to becoming sin so that invitation could be made for our adoption in.

 

Circumstances can also paralyze us with fear. In the absence of a known ending, Char was plagued with fear-filled questions about Nat, Beth and Suzy’s future, and plagued with insecurity about her capability in running a shelter effectively. Yet in the face of these fears she repeatedly recalls Scripture, calls others to pray as a community, and looks to her Lord’s proven character to work all things according to His glory and the good of His people. God cannot be less than He is, and He is always victorious.

Regardless of why or how fear has come, its presence will either move us to focus on the circumstances that we can see, or move us to trust in the One who controls the circumstances.  When our minds fill up with worry, let’s meditate on Jesus’ sovereignty. When our emotions fear rejection, let’s lean into His acceptance. Like Char, let’s step out in faith whenever we fear by calling on God’s power and presence to overcome the worry that we cannot. The very fear that distresses us can be the means God uses to grow our faith and testify to the One who ushers in peace. 

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:6-7

Mistletoe Movie Star releases Dec 1st! Don’t miss your chance to read what others have called the best Mistletoe book yet!

Andrea Thom is a married mom to three kids and a therapist. She teaches the Bible through her writing and speaking ministry and has authored two Bible studies: Ruth—Redeeming the Darkness and Amos—Come Awake! You can connect with Andrea at AndreaThom.com

Is she a fool? (by Andrea Thom)

Is she a fool? (by Andrea Thom)

by | Jan 28, 2012 | The Weekend Visitor

Is she a fool?

Andrea Thom


Is she a fool whose FEET walk paths of exhaustion and drudgery, to bring freedom to those who lay stuck in the mire of their own folly?

Is she a fool whose TIME forgoes succulence, to mourn with the friendless, weep with the unlovely, and banter with the simple?

Is she a fool whose TALENTS find use in stays so desperate, thankless, and lonely, that no visible gain is rewarded for the effort? 

Is she a fool whose HANDS become those that feed the lame, whose LIPS shout the untold story to the blind, whose EMBRACE preaches Christ to a soul lying cold within a broken body and mind? 

Is she a fool whose EARS are tuned to the singing of the saints in the eternal expanse, whose HEART delights in the sword of truth that rebukes and restores?

Is she a fool whose MIND is so rich with the words of Christ, that little else is uttered? 

Whose PHYSIQUE is so laced with the integrity of Christ, that it becomes quite forgettable? 

Whose SPIRIT spills out the compassion of Christ, that little else can describe her?

Is she a fool whose whole LIFE is so hidden in Christ, that no ambition is too rooted, no ability is too revered, no relationship too intimate, and no luxury too pleasing, to be forfeit for His sake, regardless of the discomfort? 

Is she a fool who at the moment of death, feels her heart quicken with delight rather than distress, so as to finally behold His GLORY?

Oh indeed she is not a fool, when on that great and glorious day, He exclaims, “Well done, my GOOD and FAITHFUL daughter!  Receive the REWARD and PRAISE you have earned in the city gates.

For her CHARACTER has become so deeply embedded into His own, that she has become quite undistinguishable from Christ Himself.

 

* * *

 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds of things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life appears, then you all will appear with him in glory.”  Col 3:1-3 NIV.   

 

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV.

 

“…A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30b NIV.

Andrea is a wife of 8 years to her shining steed Darren, mom to three beautiful children – Brody (5), Elyse (3), & Iain (1), and works casually as an Occupational Therapist.  She’s passionate about studying scripture, discipleship, global evangelism, and ministries involving women, seniors, or human trafficking issues.  Her favourite moments typically involve a good laugh with friends, great conversations into the night, and anything involving chocolate.