Faith to Fear
(Sunday Talk - February 16, 2025 4) Elevate the Inner World to Heal the Outer
Sunday Talk Notes is a regular feature of Dr. Jim Turrell’s Wisdom of Life. Here he shares the thoughtful preparation and content of actual talks from his highly regarded Sunday Services.
Learn how to release fear-based thinking and embrace faith-filled actions to foster global peace and unity
Moving from Fear to Faith: A Journey of Spiritual Evolution
Fear and faith are not opposites; they are stages in our spiritual evolution. Philosopher and theologian Teilhard de Chardin offers a profound perspective on this shift, blending science, metaphysics, and Christian mysticism. His teachings, closely aligned with New Thought spirituality, reveal that faith is not passive belief but an active participation in the divine unfolding of the universe.
Fear vs. Faith: A Shift in Consciousness
Fear thrives on separation—from God, from others, and from life’s greater purpose. It convinces us to stay small and avoid risk. But faith moves us into divine connection, showing us a universe that is evolving with purpose and love.
The Universe Is Awakening to Itself
The Big Bang wasn’t just the birth of matter; it was the beginning of consciousness unfolding.
The same divine energy that formed galaxies lives within us.
Spiritual evolution is not about escaping life’s struggles but embracing them as part of a greater transformation.
The Noosphere: A Modern Christ Consciousness
Teilhard’s Noosphere—the interconnected field of human thought—mirrors New Thought’s idea that consciousness is evolving.
As humanity becomes more connected, we move toward higher states of awareness.
Every act of love, spiritual practice, and truth-seeking contributes to the collective evolution of faith.
The Omega Point: We Are Moving Toward God
Teilhard saw the universe as moving toward unity, not randomness. He called this the Omega Point—the realization of oneness with God.
Fear sees chaos; faith sees purpose.
Fear waits; faith walks forward into love, wisdom, and divine guidance
Fear Waits, Faith Walks Forward
Teilhard challenges us to engage with life, not retreat in fear. This means:
Letting Go of the Illusion of Control – Fear demands certainty before it moves; faith walks forward, trusting the next step will be revealed.
Seeing Challenges as Part of Growth – Every challenge refines us, just as evolution refines life itself.
Recognizing God Is the Journey – Faith is not waiting for God to act—God is the road itself, guiding every step.
Affirmation of Faith:
"I am an evolving soul, part of a divine creation, moving toward love, wisdom, and unity. I am the presence of God in action, shaping a new world."
A Story: The Bridge That Responds to Faith
In a village by a great chasm, a bridge led to the Land of Promise, a place of abundance. But fear ruled the villagers—they believed the bridge was cursed and would collapse if anyone tried to cross.
One day, a young girl named Leora questioned this. “What if the bridge isn’t cursed? What if it responds to faith?”
Determined, she stepped onto the bridge. The planks wobbled, and doubt crept in, but a voice within whispered, “Each step strengthens the path.” She kept walking—and the bridge grew solid beneath her feet.
Reaching the other side, Leora called back:
"The bridge isn’t cursed—it responds to faith. Fear weakens it, but faith makes it strong."
Inspired, the villagers began crossing. With each step of faith, the bridge became stronger. Soon, the two villages were united, and abundance flowed freely.
Faith Is the Path, Not the Obstacle
This story illustrates a spiritual truth: Fear paralyzes; faith moves forward. The bridge represents life’s challenges—they appear impassable when viewed through fear, yet they become stronger when walked with faith.
Faith doesn’t guarantee an easy path—it changes how we see the path. It allows us to find possibilities where fear sees only obstacles.
Teilhard de Chardin’s great lesson?
We are not here to wait for miracles—we are here to awaken to them by walking forward with faith.
Final Thought
The path is already beneath your feet. Take the next step in faith, and watch the bridge appear before you.
Affirmation of True Faith
I do not seek escape, but expansion.
I do not wish for ease, but wisdom.
I trust in the Divine presence within me,
A guiding light that strengthens my path.
Faith is not my excuse—it is my power.
I walk forward, not to avoid, but to grow.
Every challenge refines me, every trial deepens me.
I am open, I am willing, I am becoming.
I do not pray for doors to open—I step through them.
I do not ask for burdens to vanish—I rise to meet them.
The Divine does not remove my path,
It walks it with me, shaping me with love.
I am not waiting for miracles, I am awakening to them.
My faith is steady, my heart is strong,
I am in harmony with God’s presence,
And I trust the unfolding of my soul.