Have you ever heard the phrase, “Inaction is not an option?”
Our most recent guest on the Ask About My Faith podcast, Jeff May, is a chiropractor who loves to watch God move through his faith-forward natural healthcare practice that sees Jesus perform miracles in body, soul, and spirit. Keep reading to hear more about Jeff’s journey to becoming fearless in his faith!
Finding God at a Basketball Game
Jeff grew up in the middle-of-nowhere Nebraska, where church was a strong priority. Though Jesus wasn’t a foreign concept to Jeff, he didn’t have a personal relationship with God. During his sophomore year of high school, Jeff’s team lost a basketball game. Though frustrated with losing, one of Jeff’s teammates began to share Bible stories with the team, primarily providing hope with a Biblical lens on defeat.
This moment marked Jeff forever. After this experience at the game, Jeff began to attend youth group and got more curious about Jesus Christ – who He was and what He did. Jeff began to meditate on how Jesus died on the cross for his sins. The weight of God’s sacrifice and the image of the crucifixion caused tears to well up in Jeff. This intense gratitude for what Jesus did was a hallmark moment that continues to minister and anchor Jeff in his faith.
See our article: The Benefits of Gratitude
“Inaction is Not an Option”
Following his decision to follow Jesus, Jeff had an encounter where the reality of eternal life hit him like a ton of bricks. During a record snowstorm in his hometown, he and his friends began driving a bit recklessly in a parking lot for fun. While being silly with his friends, his perspective shifted as one of the girls in the car asked the driver to be more cautious, saying,
“Hey! You’ve got to be careful. I don’t want to die tonight because I don’t know if I’ll go to Heaven!”
After their time doing donuts in a snowstorm, Jeff visited his friend's dorm room and told her the reality of salvation that only Jesus offers. To his surprise, she was incredibly excited, eager to pray with Jeff, and she quickly received Jesus into her heart right there on the spot! To this day, this friend still loves Jesus and is serving faithfully as a nurse in her community, changing lives every day for the glory of God
Related Post: How to Share Your Faith Without Fear
A few years later, Jeff met his wife. The two married and Jeff finished up chiropractic school. At this time, Jeff’s soon-to-be father-in-law wasn’t too involved and was rarely in the picture, as substance abuse was a struggle for him.
The second time Jeff met his father-in-law was when they had discovered that he was in the hospital. They entered the room with humility, honor, and love, but they were greeted by Barley’s sour demeanor.
“I don’t know why you guys came here anyway!” Barely shouted at them, to which Jeff daringly replied,
“Barely, listen, I don’t know you from Adam, but I want you to know that your daughters came here tonight because they love you.”
Consistency is Key
The story between Barley and Jeff continues with their third meeting. To the family’s dismay, Barley was in the hospital again. The two started up a conversation when Barley asked if there was any way he could have his beard shaved. Jeff grabbed the razor, got the shaving cream, and humbly served his father-in-law.
We can’t help but recognize how much this moment between Barley and Jeff felt like the story of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. You can read the whole story of Jesus as the humble King who washes feet in John 13:1-17.
While finishing up his time at the hospital, Jeff confidently asked Barley:
“Have you ever thought about what happens to you when you die?”
Through resistance, conversation, and clarity, the two prayed and Barley gave his life to the Lord. A month later, Barley had a massive heart attack that took his life. God saved Barley’s life, using Jeff’s willing heart and courage to share.
Serving those around us creates an open door to share our faith. When we operate in humility, honor, and love, we are following in the ways of Jesus and squashing fear along the way.
Read more about becoming fearless in our article: Learning to Live Without Fear & Worry
Work as a Ministry
While in his career journey, Jeff realized that he was not built for crisis care, but rather the after-crisis care or let’s-prevent-a-crisis approach that prioritized natural health care. He became fascinated by how the body works and is wowed by the educated, intentional design that God gave to the human body.
Curious to know more about how God formed you? Read this iconic scripture: Psalm 139.
Jeff takes his vendetta against inaction to the office every day. In all his years of practicing, when Jeff asks if he can pray for a patient, he’s never had someone say, “No.” He prays for his patients right there, in his office, and sees his patients receive the love of God. He also empowers his employees through affirmation cards that are filled with Scripture.
Words of Wisdom from Jeff
As we learn to become fearless in sharing our faith, Jeff has some words of wisdom to keep us on God’s path, stay strong against inaction, and equip us to love others well!
Even if you’re afraid to share, share anyway.
There’s no point in being swallowed by fear when others around us need the message of hope, healing, and freedom that is only found in Jesus. Follow His leadership and trust Him for the rest!
Distraction and fear are not from God.
Division, distraction, and fear are not the works of God. Simply ask the Holy Spirit what you should do in a given scenario and don’t get caught up in your head.
Cultivate core values.
As you go about life, you’ll find that there are strong values that you live by. Find and cultivate the Biblical core values that you can prioritize remember – inaction is not an option!
How to Develop Fearless Faith
Fearless faith is possible through Jesus. As we see in Jeff’s life, consistency is key to developing fearless faith. With a few simple steps, you can grow to have fearless faith too! It just takes practice, time, and patience. Here are three tips to help you develop fearless faith:
Name Your Fears
Stop and take a moment to name what’s stopping you from sharing your faith. Is there a person, a consequence, a phrase, or a feeling that’s making you afraid to tell others about God? Maybe it’s the fear of rejection, the fear of failure, or the fear of someone getting angry at you for telling them the Gospel. We can’t move forward in growth if we can’t name what we’re afraid of.
Confront Your Fears
Confronting your fears about sharing your faith is the quickest way to have fearless faith. But don’t worry: you’re not alone! Jesus is with you as you confront fear head-on. And, as you’re walking with a Christian community, you can face your fears together as you all journey to have fearless faith! Confronting your fears can look like praying for someone when you feel afraid, texting someone an encouraging Bible verse, or telling your testimony to a waiter at a restaurant.
Get Inspired by the Bible
The Bible is full of stories of courageous heroes, fearless faith, and big victories! Fearless faith in God is the mark of some of our favorite Bible characters. Remember stories like David and Goliath or Daniel in the lion's den? Their faith was fearless, focused, and contagious! As you read some of our favorite Bible verses about fearless faith in the Bible, screenshot these scriptures to make your own fearless faith devotional!
Bible Verses About Fearless Faith in God
David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” - 1 Samuel 17: 32, 36-37
Fearless faith in the Bible often means having fearless faith in God and trusting in His ability to save. In this story, David is telling the King – who is struggling with fear – why He should trust in the Lord rather than be afraid.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised) - Hebrews 10:23
In the Bible, fearless faith means trusting in God even when it seems hard. Sometimes, when we’re talking to others about our faith, we face doubts about whether our testimony is worth sharing. Sharing faith fearlessly is about sharing your story and making the choice to trust God no matter the outcome. He who promised is faithful!
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. - 2 Timothy 1:7
Bible verses about fearless faith remind us that God has not given us a spirit of fear. Through Jesus, we have access to His power, love, and self-control. Fearless faith in the Bible means trading in your fears to receive God’s faith and love in return.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10
Bible verses about fearless faith in God always remind us of God’s character. When we are sure of Him, we have no reason to be afraid. He has promised to be with us, never to leave us or forsake us, and His love is always near.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? - Psalm 118:6
This Bible verse about fearless faith in God comes from the book of Psalms. The Psalms show the wrestle between fear, the desire for fearless faith, and all of the ups and downs that come with following God. As you go throughout your week, we encourage you to read the Psalms to grow towards fearless faith.
