Trusting God: Transforming Fear into Faith

 

Summary

In life, we all have stories filled with desires, challenges, and conflicts. The core question is whether we trust or mistrust the world and, more importantly, the Creator. This foundational trust is established early in life, as illustrated by the contrasting experiences of two children on airplane trips. Jenny, who was comforted and engaged by her mother, developed a sense of trust and security. In contrast, Teddy, left to face his fears alone, learned mistrust and isolation. These early experiences shape our perception of the world and our relationship with God.

Martin Luther's journey exemplifies the struggle between fear and faith. Initially, Luther was consumed by the fear of a judgmental God, but he eventually discovered the liberating truth that "the righteous shall live by faith." This realization transformed his understanding of God as a loving presence who desires connection with us. Luther's story reminds us that God is not angry with us; rather, He wants to be with us, to know our thoughts, and to help us overcome our barriers.

Barriers and challenges are inevitable in life, but they can become opportunities for growth when we face them with God. Just as a child's response to obstacles changes when they have a supportive parent, our response to life's challenges can be transformed when we trust in God's presence and guidance. Instead of succumbing to fear or frustration, we can turn to God and ask for His help in navigating our difficulties.

In our daily lives, we encounter various barriers, both big and small. Whether it's a forgotten task or a significant life challenge, we have the choice to face it with faith and trust in God. By doing so, we can embrace the tasks before us and find new opportunities for growth and learning. Our stories, filled with problems and conflicts, matter because God is with us, helping us to live by faith and not by fear.

Key Takeaways:

- Trust in God is foundational to our life stories. From an early age, we learn to either trust or mistrust the world and the Creator. This trust shapes our perception of life and our relationship with God. [01:18]

- Martin Luther's journey from fear to faith illustrates the transformative power of understanding God's love. Initially consumed by fear, Luther discovered that living by faith reveals a God who desires connection and is not angry with us. [05:27]

- Barriers in life can become opportunities for growth when faced with God. Just as a child's response to obstacles changes with a supportive parent, our response to life's challenges can be transformed by trusting in God's presence. [08:46]

- We have the choice to face life's barriers with faith and trust in God. By doing so, we can embrace the tasks before us and find new opportunities for growth and learning, even in the midst of challenges. [10:14]

- Our stories, filled with problems and conflicts, matter because God is with us. We are not alone in our struggles; God is right there with us, helping us to live by faith and not by fear. [10:43]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:50] - The Story of Our Lives
[01:31] - Trust vs. Mistrust
[02:00] - Jenny and Teddy's Airplane Experience
[03:47] - Learning About God
[04:11] - Martin Luther's Struggle
[05:27] - The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
[06:10] - God's Love and Connection
[07:47] - Facing Barriers with God
[08:46] - The Role of Attachment
[09:19] - Embracing Challenges with Faith
[10:14] - Living in Confidence with God
[10:43] - Your Story Matters
[11:01] - Community and Connection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
2. Romans 1:17 - "For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"

Observation Questions:
1. How did Jenny's experience on the airplane differ from Teddy's, and what impact did it have on their sense of trust? [02:42]
2. What was Martin Luther's initial perception of God, and how did it change over time? [05:11]
3. According to the sermon, how does a child's attachment to a parent influence their response to barriers? [08:46]
4. What does the phrase "the righteous shall live by faith" mean in the context of Martin Luther's story? [05:27]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Jenny and Teddy illustrate the importance of trust in our relationship with God? [02:42]
2. In what ways did Martin Luther's understanding of God's love transform his life and faith journey? [06:25]
3. How can facing life's barriers with God turn them into opportunities for growth, according to the sermon? [08:46]
4. What does it mean to live by faith and not by fear in the context of the challenges we face daily? [10:14]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life story. Are there early experiences that have shaped your trust or mistrust in God? How can you address these influences today? [03:47]
2. Think about a current barrier or challenge you are facing. How can you invite God into this situation to help you overcome it with faith? [09:02]
3. Martin Luther found peace in the realization that God is not angry with us. How does this understanding affect your relationship with God? [06:10]
4. Identify a specific area in your life where you tend to respond with fear rather than faith. What steps can you take to change this response? [10:14]
5. Consider a time when you felt alone in your struggles. How can you remind yourself that God is with you in those moments? [10:43]
6. How can you cultivate a sense of trust and security in your relationship with God, similar to Jenny's experience with her mother? [02:42]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to live by faith, embracing the tasks and challenges before you with confidence in God's presence? [10:14]

Devotional

Day 1: Trust as the Foundation of Our Life Stories
In life, the foundation of our stories is built on trust. From an early age, we learn to either trust or mistrust the world and the Creator. This trust shapes our perception of life and our relationship with God. The experiences of Jenny and Teddy on their airplane trips illustrate how early interactions can influence our sense of security and trust. Jenny, comforted by her mother, developed a sense of trust and security, while Teddy, left to face his fears alone, learned mistrust and isolation. These early experiences are crucial as they set the stage for how we perceive the world and our relationship with God. [01:18]

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Reflection: Think about a time in your childhood when you felt either secure or insecure. How do you think that experience has shaped your current relationship with God?


Day 2: The Transformative Power of Understanding God's Love
Martin Luther's journey from fear to faith illustrates the transformative power of understanding God's love. Initially consumed by the fear of a judgmental God, Luther discovered the liberating truth that "the righteous shall live by faith." This realization transformed his understanding of God as a loving presence who desires connection with us. Luther's story reminds us that God is not angry with us; rather, He wants to be with us, to know our thoughts, and to help us overcome our barriers. This shift from fear to faith is a powerful testament to the impact of understanding God's true nature. [05:27]

1 John 4:18-19 (ESV): "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where fear holds you back. How can understanding God's love help you move from fear to faith in that area?


Day 3: Barriers as Opportunities for Growth
Barriers and challenges are inevitable in life, but they can become opportunities for growth when we face them with God. Just as a child's response to obstacles changes when they have a supportive parent, our response to life's challenges can be transformed when we trust in God's presence and guidance. Instead of succumbing to fear or frustration, we can turn to God and ask for His help in navigating our difficulties. By doing so, we can embrace the tasks before us and find new opportunities for growth and learning. [08:46]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Identify a current challenge you are facing. How can you invite God into this situation to transform it into an opportunity for growth?


Day 4: Choosing Faith in the Face of Life's Barriers
We have the choice to face life's barriers with faith and trust in God. By doing so, we can embrace the tasks before us and find new opportunities for growth and learning, even in the midst of challenges. Our stories, filled with problems and conflicts, matter because God is with us, helping us to live by faith and not by fear. This choice to trust in God amidst difficulties allows us to experience His presence and guidance in profound ways. [10:14]

Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV): "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?"

Reflection: Consider a barrier you are currently facing. What practical steps can you take today to choose faith and trust in God as you navigate this challenge?


Day 5: The Significance of Our Stories with God
Our stories, filled with problems and conflicts, matter because God is with us. We are not alone in our struggles; God is right there with us, helping us to live by faith and not by fear. This understanding gives significance to our stories, as we recognize that God is actively involved in our lives, guiding us through every challenge and triumph. Embracing this truth allows us to live with confidence, knowing that our lives are part of a greater narrative shaped by God's love and presence. [10:43]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: Reflect on your life story. How can you see God's presence and guidance in both the challenges and the triumphs? How does this perspective change the way you view your current circumstances?

Quotes


In the first year of Life your job is to discover do you trust the world or mistrust the world and I would say the core issue isn't so much the world because the world itself is a place of both great Beauty and great Terror circumstances nature that's fabulous and also it will scare the pants off you if you're paying attention the real question is do I can I trust the Creator. [00:00:57]

Jenny and Mom were both excited and chatted away through the entire flight mom enjoyed how Jenny experienced things for the first time she even took Jenny for a walk around the plane all the while answering her questions or pointing out things they were together she was with her and and they were talking Jenny got scared when the landing gear went down but her mom comforted with a big hug and an explanation as to what was going on. [00:02:32]

Teddy was obedient but his big eyes and trembling little hands revealed his fear at several points in the flight mom was oblivious however to what was happening in Teddy's mind if there were things he wanted one would never know because he sat quietly throughout the entire flight no words or touches were exchanged Teddy did not share whatever thoughts he had about things he wanted to do or learn in many ways he was flying alone. [00:03:00]

Luther was haunted terrified by the thought of a holy God and a holy God who would judge him severely and so his dad wanted him to become a lawyer this folks invested a lot of money in him but he became a monk but even living in a monastery um big eyes trembling hands God do you love me he could not stop confessing his Confessor would say to him you know you're in a monastery for kind a loud how many things do you have to confess. [00:04:36]

Eventually uh this great thought occurred to him that the righteous shall live by faith that God is a good god who wants to be connected with me he is with me be strong and courageous for the Lord your God is with you God says to Joshua Luther wrote this I've got uh uh one book about Luther that I was given when I was ordained um it's in a 54 volume collection of Luther's works. [00:05:13]

When I was into spiritual distress a gentle word would restore my spirit sometimes my Confessor said to me when I repeatedly discussed silly sins with him you're a fool God is not incensed against you but you are incensed against God God is not angry at you but you are angry with God Luther notes this was magnificently said even though as before Luther realized the good news of the Gospel of God's love that comes to us that we seize by faith. [00:06:00]

What do you think it means when we're told that God gave to us his only son it means that he has given us all things and wants always to be with us and so now the invitation is whatever barrier that you face right now whatever problem that you face today I don't face it alone I don't have to have a posture of mistrust and that I am unsafe together with God whatever barrier comes my way. [00:07:37]

It's very interesting one of the primary tasks of little children get studied quite a lot is uh barrier work and that actually stumbling blocks can be building blocks when a little child has a goal a toy that they want an activity they want to engage in and a barrier is put up there they get very frustrated research shows this no big surprise it's also interesting um the toy or the object that is barricaded that is blocked is the one they want the most to have it be blocked actually makes its desirability go up. [00:08:07]

When there is a good attachment with the parent and the parent is there a child's response to that barrier changes fundamentally and the child looks to that parent where there is that positive attachment for a sense of can I do this will you help me with this yeah so today think about the barrier in your life when problems come up instead of just experiencing frustration or giving into fear or a fundamental posture of mistrust turn and look to God. [00:08:44]

Now God today how can you and I deal with this how can you help me with this and it can be tiny things I'm getting ready to go speak someplace and I realized yesterday that I had only handwritten notes for this talk it took me a couple hours to write them out and I don't have them with me and I cannot get them again before I have to fly out so I will have to try to write them out if I can remember them all um over the next day or so and it just felt so awful to me this is going to take so much time. [00:09:12]

What a great test to see am I actually living in confidence with God in trust with God the righteous shall live by faith I'm not I can't be in control of I can't magically change that circumstance what I can do is decide with God's help how will I respond to it now there's a little barrier between me and the life that I want to live and the assignment that's given to me and I can if I want say all right God we will do this together and I will not let it spoil my day or the next hour I will heartily Embrace this task. [00:09:51]

Everybody has a story and every story involves problems and barriers and conflicts big eyes and trembling hands but you are not alone he is right there with you your story matters. [00:10:41]

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Transcript
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