Sharing Fears and Faith

We can help others with our own faith stories.

We were recently discussing in my Sunday school class, the Biblical account of the Israelites leaving Egypt and crossing the desert where they would eventually walk through the Red Sea.

The account tells us that God led them with either a pillar of cloud by day or a pillar of fire by night and that that pillar never left its place in front of the people. Exodus 13:20-22

That’s kind of a huge wonder, right? I mean they could actually see the presence of God. So when the Egyptians decided to come after them and they panicked, my first thought has always been, seriously? You can actually see the presence of God and you still doubt?

But, in our discussion, it came out that there were likely three million plus, people in that desert. There’s a good chance those people in the back couldn’t see that presence. It wasn’t like they had smart phones to text the folks in the back.

All of a sudden, I found a little more understanding for those doubting Israelites.

We’ve all been there. We’ve all had times in our lives where we’ve questioned our faith. We find ourselves attempting to faithfully follow God and live the life we think we are called to lead and then we can no longer see or feel His presence.

Like those Isrealites so long ago, we begin to doubt and fear. Has God abandoned us? Why didn’t He just let us remain in our own Egypt of darkness?

But, that’s where we really need to seek out those people who have traveled the road ahead of us. The people in the front, could see the pillar. They had the ability to share it with the people in the back.

There are always people of faith who have been in a situation similar to our own. They are sometimes people we know and sometimes they can be writers, speakers, or even singers who have willingly shared their stories to assist others on the journey.

Those of us who have walked in faith for a while have the opportunity and calling to share our own faith stories with newer believers to help them. That’s how kingdom work is done.

An Old Testament account of faith and fear reminded me that instead of automatically judging others for their spiritual shortcomings, we should remember our own and share our failures and victories with some fellow believers who may desperately need to hear them. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂