Choosing Faith isn’t Easy

I heard something recently that continues to circle in my brain. I expect it will for the rest of my life if I’m honest because it is such a powerful truth. Are you ready for it?!

We all heard the “simple” advice of Faith over Fear. It’s on signs, cards, instagram posts and even tattoos. And as the powerful reminder it is, it makes sense that we see and hear it everywhere. But if you’re anything like me with a slight bent towards anxiety, it’s a lot easier to quote than actually live out. 

So it caught my attention when this young gal on Instagram with a melodic english accent defined both words and referenced their similarity. 

FEAR is an unpleasant, often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger (Merriam-Webster). Expanded further, the danger is an unknownfuture possibility. Uncertainty. There is no guarantee it will happen and we base our thoughts on past experiences and perceptions. (That part is important).

FAITH is something that is believed especially with strong conviction (Merriam-Webster). Ready for the lightbulb moment?! Faith is also rooted in a strong emotion and typically connected to a feeling of anticipation. We do not typically have a guarantee and the future possibility is … yep, unknown. Uncertain.

Do you see it?

Both are strong emotional experiences tied to uncertain future possibilities.

The difference is one (fear) has a negative future possibility, while the other (faith) is viewed through the lens that everything will work out for the best or a positive future possibility. Neither is based in truth or certainty, only created from past experiences, strong emotions, and a choice of perception. So when we are asked to choose whether we choose to lead from faith or fear it is truly that simple. 

We get to choose the lens through which we look. 

Let’s take it one step further & examine the physiological effects of each. When we choose FEAR, our body activates the sympathetic response. Fear essentially says, “Danger! Pay attention!” so our brain instantly braces and enters a state of tension and reaction (fight or flight) and your logical thinking goes offline. 

Because we don’t need to notice the weight variations of a tiger compared to a bear.

We need to run from both, right?! 

This activation catches the attention of our sweet, well-meaning but old-fashioned, Amygdala who presses the panic button to get the attention & support of the Hypothalamus and Adrenal Glands. A waterfall of hormones (cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine) are released into our bodies to slow digestion, increase blood flow & oxygen, and optimize our other senses to be on high alert so we can escape the threat. 

It’s a beautiful design really, and when we are truly facing life or death our bodies also engage physically which helps complete the stress cycle and release the hormones from our system. 

Deep sigh of relief that we survived another near-death experience!

Except, when we spend the majority of our time reacting or anticipating from fear, we are not physically completing the cycle and the unnecessary hormones are wreaking havoc on all of our systems and organs. Especially as we age. 

However, if you choose FAITH, the response and physical reaction is completely different. Your body isn’t bracing, it’s ready to receive. You greet the circumstance from a parasympathetic response where breath slows, serotonin and dopamine increase, and your prefrontal cortex (where decisions are made) is working at full optimization. 

Fun fact: I recently learned that optimism can increase your lifespan by 8 years (the Dr. Josh Axe podcast with guest Clint Phillips)  and according to an article by the MIT Press it increases your lifespan by 11-15%. According to another recent study completed at Harvard, practicing gratitude has the potential of reducing all forms of mortality by 9% in women. These are powerful numbers and just to put this in context, that multivitamin that we have been encouraged to take since we were kids has not actually been found to support longevity according to JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). Save your money and work on your mindset instead 😉

The best part of all of this … gratitude, breath, optimism and faith are all free. Meaning there is not a single person who does not have access to increasing their longevity and improving their life. 

Is it simple? In theory, yes. 

In actuality, no. Choosing faith over fear takes practice. A lot of practice.

It means choosing to pause before you react, to take a step back and examine your thoughts, feelings, and intentionally move forward. The more you practice, the more natural it becomes, and the more expansive life will feel. 

I have this verse from Philippians 4:8 behind my computer as a daily reminder:

It reminds me to look forward, choose faith, and live intentionally.

It’s a practice. 

It takes time.

But I’d rather live looking forward in faith than always looking over my shoulder in fear.

With love,

Caryn