A few months ago my pastor mentioned something that has stuck with me. He said the opposite of faith is not fear, it is unbelief.
Had someone asked me beforehand what the opposite of faith was, I’m not sure how I would have responded. I’ve seen a lot of T-shirts and other messages that say “Faith Over Fear” or something similar, which has made the two linked in my mind as though they were opposites. But my pastor’s right—they’re not. “Faith Over Fear” is by no means a bad message, but fear and faith are not mutually exclusive.
Light and dark cannot exist together. Fullness and emptiness. Mountain highs and valley lows.
But faith and fear? It’s possible for both to reside in a heart.
The Bible does tell us many times not to be afraid. Fear comes so naturally, and we need the reminders. But never are the “fear not” messages told in a scolding manner.
I think a good example is the story of Peter walking on the water. He showed a huge amount of faith to step out of the boat and join Jesus on the waves, and the Bible tells us that when he looked around he began to be afraid and he started to sink.
Jesus didn’t tell Peter that he was a loser for being afraid. He didn’t leave Peter to his own devices, No, immediately Jesus caught Peter and helped him back into the boat.
He does say: “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” I have trouble picturing Jesus saying this in a strident manner. He had a way of drawing people to Himself, of being gentle in most of His teachings. He didn’t get on to Peter for having no faith, just little faith. He didn’t address the fear, but the lack of belief.
The Bible makes it clear that it is not God’s will for us to live in fear. I think His reminders are because He sees us in our humanity. “For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:14)
I can believe God has good things in store for me, and yet have a little fear while waiting for His direction.
I can believe God will provide for me, but still have a little fear when wondering how He will come through.
I can believe God knows my needs (physical, relational, emotional, spiritual) and will meet them, and still have a little fear when I am stretched thin.
My fear should never control me. It shouldn’t keep me from God, and in fact it should draw me closer to Him as I seek His help for it. But I believe that He as a loving Father doesn’t scold me for it. He wants me to choose Him over the fear, to trust that He has all things in His hand, and in doing so walk out my confidence that He is bigger than anything I face.
When uncertainty looms large, God is always larger. He’s got this. When fear creeps in, He wants us to seek Him. But fear isn’t the opposite of faith. Unbelief is. Having fear does not make us any less His son or daughter. It just means we’re human and need Him even more.
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