Personal worries often stem from concerns about health, relationships, and life's uncertainties, especially during challenging times. These fears can dominate our thoughts, keeping us awake at night and filling our minds with anxiety about loved ones and the future. Learning to navigate faith and fear can help us redirect these worries, while embracing a mindset of faith over fear allows us to find strength in something greater than our immediate circumstances.

In this episode of Live from Rest, host Steve Smith welcomes Nicky Gumbel, vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton in London and renowned for pioneering the Alpha course. Together, they explore the profound question of balancing faith and fear in an era defined by anxiety and global crises. This conversation offers rich, practical insights into using Christian meditation and faith practices to cultivate peace and resilience amid uncertainty. Gumbel shares personal reflections on managing faith and fear, drawing from his experiences during the pandemic and insights from scripture, providing listeners with actionable strategies for nurturing inner peace.

This episode is particularly valuable for anyone seeking spiritual grounding in turbulent times—whether you're a seasoned believer or new to faith practices. Gumbel’s wisdom serves as a reassuring reminder that faith, community, and meditation can be powerful anchors, helping us shift our focus from life's storms to a deeper, enduring source of peace.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Gain practical tools for navigating faith and fear, transforming worry into peace through the power of Christian meditation during challenging times.
2. Discover how to balance staying informed while safeguarding your mental well-being, with an emphasis on limiting news intake to focus on uplifting and positive messages. 
3. Explore how faith communities are innovating to support those in crisis, showcasing how embracing faith over fear can inspire meaningful action in response to global challenges.

Resources

• Live from Rest Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify 
• Live from Rest App: Google Play | App Store
• The Bible in One Year App: Google Play | App Store 
• The Alpha Program: Website 
• Nicky Gumbel:  Facebook | Instagram | X | LinkedIn 

Episode Highlights

Alpha Course Goes Online

• Nicky Gumbel is a Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton and pioneer of the Alpha course.
• Initially, he was reluctant to put Alpha online but acknowledged its success during the lockdown.
• The first online Alpha small group was a success, leading to plans to run Alpha online continuously.
• The convenience of online Alpha made it attractive to people, especially during times when traditional activities like televised football were unavailable.

Bible in One Year and Personal Worries

• Steve Smith mentions his progress with the "Bible in One Year" program and quotes Nicky on meditation and worry.

Steve: “If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate. All you need to do is change what you think about, and you will be practicing Christian meditation.”

• Nicky discusses his natural tendency to worry, influenced by his father, and shares his wife Pippa's recent cancer operation.
• He talks about meditating on the Aaronic blessing to combat fear and worry, especially at night.
• Watching the news of the pandemic has many people worrying; we have to balance news consumption with positivity and God’s messages to us.

Faith and Fear: Focusing on Jesus Amid Life’s Storms

• Nicky Gumbel tells a story about a man with a battle in his mind between two dogs, symbolizing the struggle between faith and fear.

Nicky: “If you feed the worry and the fear, that's going to win. But if you feed your faith, if you feed on the Word of God, if you feed on Jesus, you can overcome. You can choose faith over fear.”

• We would all do well to remember Jesus in the storm and the challenge of fixing one's eyes on Jesus rather than the storm.
• Focus on Jesus and the peace He brings, despite the current global crisis.

Balancing News Consumption and Faith

• Practicing faith over fear involves maintaining a balance between staying informed and educating ourselves about fear-inducing news.

Nicky: “Preaching is about taking the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in another…  I have to know what's going on in the world, but I have to try and limit the amount that I read of that [news] and balance it with this [Bible].”

• Nicky shares his personal routine of reading the Bible before checking the news to maintain a positive mindset.
• Setting the mind on things above and meditating on the Word of God is a powerful thing to do in all your actions.

Church's Role During the Crisis

• The Church took on an increased workload and started new initiatives during the lockdown.
• The lockdown encouraged a shift to online services and the launch of the "Love Your Neighbor" to help the vulnerable.
• Nicky sees the Church's role as a fifth emergency service, similar to the NHS; people need spiritual aid just as much as they need physical and mental succor.
• He hopes the perception of the Church will change positively, showing its efforts in serving the community.

Connection and Reaching Others During the Crisis

• Nicky shares a personal anecdote about his gym friend Carl and their heartfelt conversation about the balance between faith and fear during the crisis
• Addressing the needs of people who are not typically interested in church is just as important as serving those within it.
• Interestingly, the lockdown increased communication and gatherings.

About Nicky Gumbel

Nicky Gumbel, vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton in London, is a devoted advocate for addressing the interplay of faith and fear, especially during times of global crisis. As the creator of the Alpha course, he has introduced millions to Christianity, offering a welcoming space to explore faith and life’s most pressing questions. His journey from skepticism to a faith-filled life has made him a trusted voice in Christian communities worldwide, inspiring others to confront fear and find peace and purpose through faith. Through initiatives like the Bible in One Year app, he has made scripture accessible to those seeking spiritual guidance.

During the pandemic, Nicky led efforts to adapt Alpha and church gatherings to online platforms, ensuring people could remain connected despite physical isolation. His teachings and outreach focus on helping individuals strengthen their faith while navigating the challenges of fear. By addressing faith and fear directly, Nicky Gumbel continues to provide hope and encouragement, guiding others toward a life of courage and purpose in uncertain times.

Connect with Nicky Gumbel on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, then leave us a review. You can also share this episode with your friends and family. No matter how heavy the worry or how uncertain the world may feel, the struggle between faith and fear is ever-present. Yet, there is always peace to be found when we choose faith. Embracing faith over fear helps us find calm amid life’s storms, anchoring us in something greater. Remember: while fear draws our focus to the unknown, faith redirects our gaze to the One who is truly in control.

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Instagram.

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