The year was around 1958. At a local firemen’s carnival, the Ferris wheel stopped so a mechanical problem could be fixed. I was perched at the very top, swaying gently in the hot summer breeze till the wheel came to a complete stop.
Looking down at the tiny people below, I saw my very young life flash before me. How, in an instant, could the exhilaration of climbing this high in the sky turn to terror at being this high in the sky? Get me down from here, and I will never do this again! I thought. Realizing I was totally at the mercy of Carnival Guy far below me, I felt FEAR, big time.
Circumstances can change so quickly. Given the frailty of human nature, fear usually screams louder than faith unless we get a grip, step into faith, and look at Jesus. That still small voice of faith whispering inside when you’re perched and tottering on one of life’s uncertainties has been started by Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV) reminds us of that: looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Trust Him. What is your greatest fear? Death? Disease? COVID? Being alone? Bankruptcy? Starving? Homelessness? All are problems of this world, but Jesus has overcome the world. He said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT).
What He starts, He finishes. Each faith challenge you encounter can end in victory if you trust the Lord completely. It makes pleasing God really easy because, without faith, it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6 NIV).
Faith, not fear. That’s a God-pleaser’s prayer!
© 2023, Chris Werre