Numbers 14:3-4–Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
One of the reasons we trust those we claim to have a close relationship with, is that we can rely on the consistency of their character.  Without really knowing someone, we can easily begin to conjure up thoughts, that relate more to our fears from past experiences and “let downs”, than what they would actually do if we knew them…
Much like with God, our lack of intimacy creates the same environment, as if we’re not sure we can trust Him.  Not because the Lord is untrustworthy, but because our fear and anxiety is so high, we trust our painful experiences of being let down, more than the faithfulness of someone actually “keeping their word”…
The children of Israel reveal how much we live with the same anxiety that they lived with.  Not because of what God didn’t do, but what He wanted to instill in them, trust and faith that He will preserve their lives by His faithfulness.  Yet they never gave God a chance to prove how much He wanted to fulfill His promises, because their fear and anxiety outweighed it…
Which leads us to challenge how well we have led ourselves and others who look to us.  Has your pride to trust yourself, because you are too fearful to trust God, stifled joy and an abundant life in Christ?  Much like the children of Israel, we talk ourselves into “a pessimistic downfall” when faced with the uncertainties of trusting what God called us to do.
Walking by faith will always challenge our fears and anxiety.  Notice how each conclusion the children of Israel made was negative.  People generally weigh “pros” and “cons”, and the cons are usually “negative things” that could happen that you don’t know will happen, which create’s more anxiety!  Challenge whether you are walking with God or your anxiety?  Walking with God lives by what He has said, and doing it until He says something different.  Walking in anxiety entertains the downfall of what could happen, keeping us from “taking the chance” of experiencing God!
In His Love, Ld