You Say Risk, I Say Faith

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. —Hebrews 11:6, NIV

We make thousands of choices every day.

And sometimes, during the process of deciding, there can be a “what if” moment. What if I wore this instead? What if I went there or did that? What if I dated this person, or what if I had married that person? What if I make the wrong decision? We are wired to be cautious, and it is normal to ponder the “what ifs,” analyzing all the risks involved, the pros and cons. But it is vital that we do not make camp on the “what ifs” or dwell on them for too long and end up missing opportunities while living in indecision. My brother once shared a testimony of picking up a stranger in a dangerous part of South Africa. My mom asked him, “What if he had killed you, leaving your sons fatherless? You should not have done that. So many things could have gone wrong.” She went on, asking all the “what ifs.” My brother simply replied, “Mom, so what about the ‘what ifs’? Isn’t there always risk involved?” As I tried to understand how nonchalant he could be over what he had done, he continued, “When we think less about the ‘what ifs,’ we will enjoy life much more.” Mom asked, “So did you pray before you let him in? To keep you safe?” He laughed. “No, I did not. I knew God would protect me. I am convinced we spend too much time praying when it is time to act, especially when God has already provided the means.

When someone is hungry, should we pray for them or give them food?” This left me speechless. I realized that his story was not about risk-taking—it was more of a matter of faith in action. He continued, “See, the thing is, you would not need faith if there were no risk.” The God who created the heavens and earth risked His all for us.

He allowed His Son to die for us so we could be saved.

It was a risk because it is our choice whether or not we will accept Him. It makes me wonder, Am I a woman of faith? Do I take any risks for Jesus? Do I lack faith when I need to make a decision? Is my faith mere words, or do I live it out? When the time comes, will I also be willing to risk my all? I want to be able to say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15, MEV). May God continue to grow our mustard seed faith.

Kelsey Dawn Negre