From Fear to Faith - The Wesleyan Church

My eyes fail, looking for my God. . . . But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor. (Ps. 69:3, 13)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 69:1-13

As a white-haired woman in her sixties, I have been part of middle- and upper-level leadership for a long time. However, ministry leadership is often a male-dominated world, and one of the development pieces I continually struggle with as a woman at that leadership table is insecurity. Due to past traumas of school-age bullying for being “other” in the turbulent world of missionary kids, my first response is often defensive, especially when I am uncertain of protocol or when my thoughts are questioned. The world of human interaction—even wholesome discussions required to make good decisions as a team—can make me feel uncertain and ultimately unsafe.

Too often, my response is to choose fear over faith, and being defensive or paranoid is highly toxic behavior that can quickly sabotage any relationship. Godly coaching that grounds my identity in God has been a developmental piece that encourages me to choose caring over anger and opened me up to better communication in both workplace and home.

This lovely song preserved for us from the days of the great biblical musician David is an emotional outcry of fear. The despair is palpable, the words strong. Yet the writer, presumably David, refocuses as he often does on his grounded identity in God and his own commitment not to bring shame to those who hope. David chose faith over fear.

Ground your identity in God to fuel your faith.

Sandy Emmett is the director of care for Global Partners of The Wesleyan Church. She enjoys riding bicycles, hiking, walking her dogs, playing with her grandchildren, and reading a good book.