I once heard of an Indian folklore about six blind men who heard of an animal called an elephant but did not know how one looks like. To find out, each of them touched the creature.
Each one of them gave a different description. The one who touched its trunk said it is like a snake, the one who touched its side proclaimed it is nothing but a wall, and the one who touched its tusk said it is a spear, and so on. They could not agree how an elephant really looks like and none of them got it right because none of them saw the whole picture.
When the first generation Israelites were about to enter the promised land, Moses sent twelve spies to spy out the land. They came back with two conflicting reports. Ten spies spread fear in the community by saying that while it is true that the land is rich and flowing with milk and honey, giants are guarding the land. They are like grasshoppers compared to those giants, and for sure they will be killed before they enter. The whole community cried out in fear and wanted to go back to Egypt. But two spies, Joshua and Caleb, confirmed that indeed giants are guarding the land, but God who is leading them, is able to deliver them from those giants. As a result, the first generation Israelites failed to enter into the promises of God.
We all became slaves to fear. The bible says that when Adam and Eve sinned they hid themselves and covered themselves with fig leaves (Genesis 3:8). That is the first time fear entered mankind. But the bible says that “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again, rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him, we cry, ‘Abba Father’” (Romans 8:15) Yes, indeed, to be able to do the things God wants us to do, to enter into the promises of God, we have to overcome fear.
The opposite of fear is faith. We can only grow spiritually and mentally, through a foundation of faith. And faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. Without a Godly perspective, we will be following fake news and become fearful. But with a Godly perspective, we can see everything from God’s lenses. That is the only way we can think and act according to God’s will. How can we do extraordinary things if we are fearful? If we are fearful, we will just stay in our comfort zones. Fearful events happen around us all the time. I have stopped looking at the things happening around me from a worldly perspective. That only makes me fearful. When I am fearful, everything I do is to create my own wall of protection and they don’t work to extinguish fear. Fear brings my focus on myself. But there is a way to overcome fear. What I do is read God’s word and meditate on it daily. It feeds my spirit. It brings me to the right focus. It gives me a proper understanding God’s perspective in all matters. Fearful events cannot make us think that God is against us if we have faith. That is what Joshua and Caleb had. They had a Godly perspective. They knew that the God who delivered them from the Egyptians, opened the Red Sea and annihilated the pursuing army of Egyptians, fed them with manna everyday, protected them in the wilderness is well able to deliver them from those giants hindering them from obtaining the promises of God. It is sad that the rest thought God was against them when they saw those giants.
When we focus our eyes on God and understand Him by meditating on His word, we know that even in a bad circumstance, God is not against us. He can turn everything for our good because we are His children. Instead of focusing on our fears, our spirit rises and we are able to see with supernatural eyes of faith. Faith overcomes fear. Obstacles become challenges to make us better. Great things, discoveries, innovation, solution to problems are born not from fear, but out of faith and willingness to explore the unknown. God is for us and not against us. (Romans 8:31)
When we are undergoing difficulties, can we still believe the goodness of God and His plan for us?
Boni de Jesus 