By Josephine Lim Weston
A few days ago while reading a bedtime Bible storybook to Jean-Luc, this verse struck a cord in my heart and I believe it will speak to many of us -
Mark 5:36 And Jesus immediately, having heard the word that is spoken, said to the chief of the synagogue, 'Be not afraid, only believe.'
We'll be surprised at how over the years of our lives we have accumulated fear and anxieties along the way. The news we hear daily from the media, people sharing with us their experiences either personally or on Facebook, stories we hear from the pulpit, prayer requests we helped to pray, even our hopes and dreams for our children can cause us anxiety even though nothing has happened yet.
God doesn't want us to live in fear, worry and anxiety. He wants us to live life unafraid and moving forward. We can only move forward and enjoy life that He died to give us by entrusting our cares to Him and Believe in Him.
"Be Not Afraid, Only Believe," said Jesus to the synagogue ruler who was about to be overpowered by fear as his belief in Jesus was being talked down by those around him. It's very easy for us to be consumed by fear but it takes a revelation to overcome it. Sometimes people who care for us can cause us anxiety by not realising that the words they use or what they said so sparingly, either because they are over caring or over reacting, can directly cause us to worry unnecessarily.
I remember when I was beginning to breastfeed Jean-Luc, it wasn't easy at all and emotionally one must be strong and determined especially as a new mum we can get emotionally strained and drained. At the same time, I was being pressured by the health visitor that Jean-Luc wasn't putting on weight and in fact lost weight compared to his birth-weight so I was under pressure to constantly breastfeed him as much as possible and hopefully he'll put on weight. The health visitor said that it is expected for newborn breastfed babies to lose weight in the first week of their life but in fact they are expected to gain back their birthweight and exceed it in the second week onwards. Jean-Luc still wasn’t gaining weight until the third week onwards. Jean-Luc’s doctor upon hearing this showed his disdain for this advice (Please don't listen to the health visitor and don't let them put you under pressure, you're doing fine).
As parents we were hoping Jean-Luc would start putting on weight quickly hence well-meaning relatives had been encouraging us to "fatten up" Jean-Luc with infant formula milk fearing that breastmilk alone is not enough.
Also I was told to be prepared as once Jean-Luc reached 4 months old, I should start making food for him like porridge, etc. That's quite a lot to take on board especially Jean-Luc barely 2 months old and still cries every now and then (but praise be to God, from a crying baby he matured fast so that from 3 months old he became more patient and adaptable traveling with us moving about). I thank God for a workshop called - Nourishing Nippers that I enrolled into at the nearby children centre that told us according to UNCHR, (especially breastfed) babies do not need any other food apart from breastmilk or infant formula milk in the first 6 months of their lives and before we can start them on solid food, there are 3 things that a baby must be able to do by themselves beforehand. What a relief. Long story short, let's choose to be led by the peace within us where God takes central and residence. I persevered on breastfeeding and now Jean-Luc at 6 months old looks healthy, bigger/taller than many babies his age or older; of which other mums told me so.
So "Be Not Afraid, Only Believe (in God that heals)" when your doctor tells you, you have this or that disease or are unwell.
"Be Not Afraid, Only Believe (and do it) " when God moves your heart to give money to someone but looking at your finances you think it's not possible.
"Be Not Afraid, Only Believe" when God prompts your heart to speak words of prophesy through your mouth to someone.
"Be Not Afraid, Only Believe (in God to teach and direct your children in the way he/she should go)" when you watch the TV how they are promoting pornography, sleeping around, drinking and partying and you are holding your baby in your arm thinking what my children will be exposed to in future.
"Be Not Afraid, Only Believe" when you know God wants you to move on in your life or move to another country or change job/career, or move and stay in another place, etc.
"Be Not Afraid, Only Believe" when opportunity arises for you to serve or minister in a new area of which you have no experience in/of.
"Be Not Afraid, Only Believe (He will supply ALL your need according to his riches in glory)" when you have mouths to feed, mortgage and bills to pay thinking how to make ends meet.
"Be Not Afraid, Only Believe" when you're not sure whether this man or woman is right for you, or you should get married or not, or have children or not, or only have one child is enough or have more children. Because God will show you when it's right to do something so don't get stress or try to over forecast and over worry about something. When the time comes, you'll know what to do.
"Be Not Afraid, Only Believe" when you make mistakes or do wrong at work as God's grace is more than sufficient to carry you through so be humble to admit and be honest about your mistakes and let God win.
"Be Not Afraid, Only Believe" when you're not doing well at school or your children are not doing well in school because it's not the end of the world as there are successful people who did not do that well in school.
"Be Not Afraid, Only Believe" when you hear fearful and anxious news or stories. Calm your heart down and pray immediately. Don't succumb to that fear but bounce it off your chest and let Christ come in and let no one snatch that Peace that surpasses all understanding from you.
So let us Not Be Afraid, Only Believe and live stress-free and enjoy each day as it comes as it is God's gift to us all. Those who Believe Shall Overcome.
