“Without the element of the unknown, there could be no faith.”

A thought by Andy Stanley from his book, Fields of Gold (Kindle Locations 99-100). Kindle Edition.

There are so many different tools that Satan uses in his desire to get at God through us. He knows he can keep us from stepping out and risking because of our fear in the unknown.

Now one of the best areas that can open up God’s blessing on our lives is through giving, giving to Him and giving to other people. But it is also a great area for Satan to use fear and He does it all the time. He doesn’t want you to be blessed and your faith strengthened by giving so he sets up all these roadblocks of fear that keep you from giving.

Giving is something you do out of faith. And fear is the antithesis of faith. It is faith’s enemy.

For instance, you believe it is the right thing to give to a person who is in need then everything starts going wrong in your life. It isn’t just one thing but compounded things. Satan then in your mind says that if you wouldn’t have given then all this bad wouldn’t happen. And because you verbalize your thoughts and internalized the belief, the next time God sends a need your way, Satan brings up that incident and fear wins and faith loses.

That is the way He works. But if you realize that the thought is from Satan and not verbalize the negative fearful thought but say that I’m going to give because that is what God would do and He will take care of my needs then Satan will have failed. God then will be able to reward you because of your giving and your faith in Him will be strengthened.

If you will learn this lesson then your life will lose a lot of the stress and the worry that robs you of your health and your joy. Counteract the roadblocks of fear that Satan sets in your path by putting your faith and trust in God and His principles and His Word.

You face the unknown either by Satan’s fear or faith in God. Also understand that faith is not easy. There is always an unknown to it but there is also a great reward.

So which voice are you going to listen to, fear or faith?

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