When Faith Eclipses Fear

Sometimes there’s nothing left but to believe
Sometimes it’s in an instant
Sometimes we wait for years
But it comes down to the moment when faith eclipses fear
Your wandering is over
The other side is real
You’ve broken through
Your mountain moved
And mercy is revealed
His mercy is revealed

The author of these beautiful words may surprise you. But before I reveal the source, let me comment on these words.
Perhaps most impacting to me is the phrase “when faith eclipses fear”. I like this because it does not deny the reality of fear. Instead, it accepts its reality and says that mountains move when faith eclipses fear – not when fear is eliminated.
This is somewhat comforting for me as a person who regularly deals with this issue of fear. Maybe it’s the fear of failure, the fear of disappointment or the fear of future tragedy. No one thing in particular, just the same concern over things I am personally powerless to control. To me, that is the definition of the outcome of fear:

THE ANXIETY EXPERIENCED BY THE ANTICIPATION OF EVENTS OUTSIDE A PERSON’S OWN ABILITY TO CONTROL.

The antithesis is a good definition of the outcome of faith:

THE PEACE EXPERIENCED BY RELINQUISHING CONTROL AND TRUSTING GOD.

In all this, we ultimately find rest in His mercy. For our Creator knows every detail of our life and how He made us. He understands our weaknesses and our struggles. His mercy will never allow us to experience a moment in time where His power is not sufficient to carry us through. For His power is perfected in our weakness.
But that takes faith! For in most cases, the events that He is able to bear would most assuredly crush us if we tried to carry them on our own. Therefore, He reminds us, “Come unto Me all you are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Our weariness often comes from enduring burdens we were never intended to bear. Our burden of concern over things we are powerless to control can only wear us down. Through faith, we trust in Him, and His load is one that we can carry all day and all night. It is light and gives rest to our soul. I must learn to "trade burdens". I give mine to God, for I cannot carry it on my own. I take His, knowing His mercy and strength will make the load light and give refreshemnt to my soul.
The words of the song (Suddenly) written by Toby Mac give a wonderful picture of what it means to experience the peace of God that passes all understanding. It is a truth I am trying less to understand and more to experience. In the words of a follower of Jesus in the New Testament, “I believe. Help me in my unbelief.”