Transitions and Faith in the Fear of the Unknown

By: Brian G. Chilton | July 16, 2018

This past weekend was difficult. For it was this weekend that I announced my resignation from my position as pastor at Huntsville Baptist Church due to having accepted the senior pastor position at Westfield Baptist Church in the Mount Airy area of North Carolina. I have many reflections concerning this move. However, the greatest reflection that comes to me is the importance of having faith in God when facing fears of the unknown.

I must confess. I am not one who enjoys moving or change for that matter. I am, by and large, like many people—a creature of habit. So, as we face this transition, there is a bit of fear. Fear of the unknown. Such fears raise several questions. What if the people don’t like me? What if I am unable to do the job? What if I fail? What if something happens to me or my family? Fear can be debilitating if left to itself. However, when we face fears of the unknown, we have a powerful tool to combat its effects—faith.

Biblical faith is a trust in God’s abilities and in his character. It is not something that results from an unreasonable belief. Rather, it is built upon a trust upon a knowable person. In this case, that Person is God. So, how can faith combat fear of the unknown?

Faith Combats Fear by Trusting in God’s Plan. I have been preaching a series of messages through Acts. One thing that has struck me in this study is the amount of trust that the apostle Paul placed in God’s direction. Paul continued to journey where God led him. For instance, “Paul resolved by the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem” (Ac. 19:21).[1] Even though a riot developed after Paul’s travels through the area going to Jerusalem, God providentially provided for Paul.

Here’s the point that we need to remember. If God is leading us to do something great or to go somewhere distant, we must first make sure that God is leading us, and second, we must trust God’s direction and leadership. If God is in the process, then he will see you through the unknown situations you face. God knows the past, present, and future as he is timeless. We do not. So, we must trust God’s plan.

Faith Combats Fear by Trusting in God’s Purpose. God has purposes which we do not always understand. Looking at Paul’s journeys, it may not have made sense to some people for Paul to have gone to Athens. Athens was the intellectual capital of the ancient world. Would anyone listen to him there? Surely, Paul must have wondered about why God would send him there. Yet, after his message given on the Areopagus, some people became Christians including Dionysius the Areopagite and Damaris (Ac. 17:33-34).

When faced with fears of the unknown, trust God’s purposes. He may need you to reach people that other people can’t. Even when times do not make sense, trust in God’s sovereign plan.

Faith Combats Fear by Trusting in God’s Power. In reality, fear does not come from God. It comes from a trust in oneself rather than a trust in God’s power. Paul wrote to Timothy, a young pastor, saying, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment” (2 Tim. 1:7). Where does fear arise? True, it can come from Satan. But, more to the point, it often comes from our false trust. When we trust in our abilities, we have every reason to doubt. But, when we trust in God’s power, we really have no reason to fear at all. Consider what Paul said to the Romans, “if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you” (Rom. 8:11). Not only do we have the promise of resurrection and eternal life, we have the promise that God is with us and that he will never forsake us. If God is for us, then who can be against us (Rom. 8:31)?

Westfield, Huntsville, my family, and I are all facing times of transition. Transitions can bring fear as it leads us into unknown territories. Maybe you are facing a fear of the unknown. Maybe you are facing unknown financial problems. It could be that you are facing health problems for yourself or a family member. Maybe your marriage has crumbled, and you don’t know how you are going to make it. For whatever circumstances you are facing, don’t let fear strangle your faith in Christ. For he who raised Christ from the dead lives within you if you have placed your faith and trust in Christ. If you are a Christian, then you are an overcomer and serve a God who is already in your future. Cast aside fear and embrace faith.

 About the Author

Brian G. Chilton is the founder of BellatorChristi.com and is the host of The Bellator Christi Podcast. He received his Master of Divinity in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); and received certification in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. Brian is currently enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University. Brian has been in the ministry for over 15 years and serves as a pastor in northwestern North Carolina.

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[1] Unless otherwise noted, all quoted Scripture comes from the Christian Standard Bible (Nashville: Holman, 2017).