Last night at our Bible study, we had an interesting discussion about how some extremes are really only divided by a fine line. We were talking about a person who feels so small, and so insecure, and so anxious, is really not that different than the person who feels they've got it all together, are strong enough to handle anything, and feel that they are in control. Neither person is taking into consideration the fact that God has their lives in His hands. To the small and insecure: Are you not more important to Him than a sparrow (Luke 12:7)? To the proud: Can you not humble yourselves enough to know that God will give you grace to handle all that comes your way (1 Peter 5:6-7)?
Please know that at times, I fall on either side of the fence with the two above extremes.
It is also interesting how the fear-filled person and the faith-based person can often look the same to an outsider, even in regards to parenting.
In regards to my mommying, I choose to live in faith.
Do I not vaccinate my child for fear he will have terrible side effects to the vaccines?
Or do I have faith that God will keep him healthy, that our medical professionals today have great knowledge and technology to heal him, or simply that my gut tells me now is not the right time? (Note that as of yet, we have not made any final decisions regarding the immunizations of our children.)
Do I sleep with my baby near me because I fear that he will need me in the night and I want to be near him always? Yes, sometimes. But, I choose to have faith that this is the way mammals were intended to sleep: near their young and nursing on cue. And again, because I have faith in what my gut is telling me is right for us.
What about birth? Talking with a friend today has gotten me thinking about before I was pregnant with Burkley, and how I wanted a natural, drug-free birth. Sure, I could have (and did) fear the effects of drugs on my unborn child and my progression of labor, but I chose instead to focus on the faith I have in my body to birth a baby on its own. I originally wanted a homebirth, but knowing I was moving mid-pregnancy, and also on the recommendation of my doula to perhaps consider a homebirth for subsequent births as her midwife had recommended, I went ahead and had a hospital birth. Thank goodness I had faith to follow my gut then, as Burkley was premature and we needed to be in a hospital at that time. However, that does mean that I fear homebirth for the next time, as I hope to with future children. My experiences in the NICU only reaffirmed for me my faith in the fact that God is in control.
Or take homeschooling, for instance. Some may choose to keep their children home from school out of fear. However, I will choose to keep my child home because I have faith in my God-given gifts and abilities as a mother and teacher.
There are many more examples I could give, but these are just a few. It is interesting how decisions can be seen in both lights. The world, my friends, my family may see my decisions as ones made out of fear. But, I could not disagree more. I make the decisions that I do because of my faith.
(Please know that if your decisions are different than mine, that does not mean I assume you act out of fear. We just have faith and convictions about different things.)
Are there decisions you've made based out of fear? What about those made based on faith? Could the decision look the same regardless of how it was made?
Please know that at times, I fall on either side of the fence with the two above extremes.
It is also interesting how the fear-filled person and the faith-based person can often look the same to an outsider, even in regards to parenting.
In regards to my mommying, I choose to live in faith.
Do I not vaccinate my child for fear he will have terrible side effects to the vaccines?
Or do I have faith that God will keep him healthy, that our medical professionals today have great knowledge and technology to heal him, or simply that my gut tells me now is not the right time? (Note that as of yet, we have not made any final decisions regarding the immunizations of our children.)
Do I sleep with my baby near me because I fear that he will need me in the night and I want to be near him always? Yes, sometimes. But, I choose to have faith that this is the way mammals were intended to sleep: near their young and nursing on cue. And again, because I have faith in what my gut is telling me is right for us.
What about birth? Talking with a friend today has gotten me thinking about before I was pregnant with Burkley, and how I wanted a natural, drug-free birth. Sure, I could have (and did) fear the effects of drugs on my unborn child and my progression of labor, but I chose instead to focus on the faith I have in my body to birth a baby on its own. I originally wanted a homebirth, but knowing I was moving mid-pregnancy, and also on the recommendation of my doula to perhaps consider a homebirth for subsequent births as her midwife had recommended, I went ahead and had a hospital birth. Thank goodness I had faith to follow my gut then, as Burkley was premature and we needed to be in a hospital at that time. However, that does mean that I fear homebirth for the next time, as I hope to with future children. My experiences in the NICU only reaffirmed for me my faith in the fact that God is in control.
Or take homeschooling, for instance. Some may choose to keep their children home from school out of fear. However, I will choose to keep my child home because I have faith in my God-given gifts and abilities as a mother and teacher.
There are many more examples I could give, but these are just a few. It is interesting how decisions can be seen in both lights. The world, my friends, my family may see my decisions as ones made out of fear. But, I could not disagree more. I make the decisions that I do because of my faith.
(Please know that if your decisions are different than mine, that does not mean I assume you act out of fear. We just have faith and convictions about different things.)
Are there decisions you've made based out of fear? What about those made based on faith? Could the decision look the same regardless of how it was made?
Love this!
ReplyDeleteWritten with grace, beautiful! I constantly ask myself these same questions on major decisions. Am I making this choice out of fear?? That is the wrong way to live. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect! I've been thinking about this same topic lately, and it's so true. I find that often people think I'm parenting the way I do out of fear (of harm, of outside influence, whatever) instead of just instinctually doing what feels right for my children. And on the flip side, I often find that when I focus on my fears, I lose sight of my faith. It feels so much better when I trust. Thank you for expressing this so beautifully!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really great post. I needed this today. I've been struggling with fear and losing faith lately. Thanks for such a beautiful post. You've given me much to reflect on.
ReplyDelete