Standing on the Edge

Life often brings us to moments that feel like standing on the edge of a cliff. We can feel uncertain, fearful, and unsure of what comes next. In those moments, we are invited into a powerful spiritual question: Will we choose faith, or will we choose fear?

Our Daily Word reminds us to surrender. Surrendering to God’s love and light sounds beautiful, yet it is one of the hardest spiritual practices. True surrender requires trust — trust that God is present, guiding us, even when fear feels very real.

Surrender and the Reality of Fear

Fear is not something we can simply deny. We are human, and fear shows up in our lives through uncertainty, loss, change, and decision-making. Sometimes we even fear following divine order, because it asks us to release control.

Yet surrender is not weakness. It is an opening. Before surrender comes fear, but beyond fear comes faith. In moments when our lives feel chaotic, we are reminded:

“For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace.” — 1 Corinthians 14:33

If chaos feels present, it does not mean God is absent. It means we are standing at a spiritual crossroads.

Faith or Fear: A Spiritual Choice

Scripture reassures us that fear is not from God:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear is something we create, often by focusing on worst-case scenarios or comparing our lives to others. God, however, has already given us spiritual powers — faith, love, strength, wisdom, imagination, and order. These are divine gifts within us.

When we give our attention to fear, we temporarily forget who we are. When we return our attention to God, faith naturally rises.

Counting Blessings in the Present Moment

Fear often distracts us from our blessings. It encourages comparison and scarcity — especially in a world filled with constant news and social media. We may find ourselves asking, “Why them and not me?” or “Why is this happening to me?”

Faith brings us back to the present moment. Our blessings are not somewhere else or in someone else’s life — they are here and now. When we focus on gratitude and reconnect with God within us, our perception begins to shift.

What we focus on expands. When we focus on faith, clarity grows. When we focus on fear, confusion deepens.

Standing at the Edge: The Leap of Faith

Many spiritual awakenings happen at the edge — the edge of comfort, certainty, or the life we once knew. At this edge, we often want to delay, analyze, or avoid making a decision. Yet our inner voice already knows the next step.

Faith does not mean we won’t feel afraid. It means we move forward anyway. God gives us time, patience, and guidance, but eventually, growth requires a leap.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” — Proverbs 3:5

Once our perception shifts, there is no going back to the old version of ourselves. We are invited forward — not because we are forced, but because we are ready.

God Is Present in the Leap

When we step forward in faith, we discover something powerful: God was already there. God is in the ground beneath us, the air around us, and the unseen support holding us steady. We may not always see the landing clearly, but faith reveals that we are never jumping alone.

As Psalm 56:3 reminds us:

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.”

Faith turns fear into trust and uncertainty into possibility.

Walking Together in Faith

Faith is not meant to be lived alone. Often, we meet others standing at the same edge, facing similar decisions. In community, we encourage one another, share courage, and remind each other of God’s presence.

Sometimes we leap together, and sometimes our paths diverge. Both are sacred. What matters is honoring divine guidance and trusting that each journey unfolds exactly as it needs to.

Faith Opens Doors Fear Cannot See

Fear closes doors. Faith opens them.

When we choose faith, opportunities appear, clarity increases, and divine order becomes visible. Each step leads to the next, revealing a path we could not see while standing still.

Faith does not remove challenges — it transforms how we meet them.

Affirmations for Choosing Faith

Let these affirmations anchor you as you stand at life’s edges:

• Fear does not control me.
• I control my thoughts and actions.
• I am safe and capable.
• I embrace uncertainty.

When we choose faith over fear, we choose alignment with God, peace over chaos, and growth over stagnation.

And so it is.

Sunday Message — July 20, 2025
Rev. Lori Souza