How to Have Faith that is Greater than Your Fear
Have you ever noticed that the first emotion Adam and Eve experienced after eating the forbidden fruit was fear and here we are still struggling with it thousands of years later?
I used to think I was in a small group of fear-filled worriers. Almost everyone around me seemed more capable and courageous than me.
But God has graciously allowed me to realize I’m not alone in this struggle … and neither are you.
He is with us. Just look at all the times God’s Word says, “Don’t be afraid…”
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be afraid – God will strengthen you, help you, and hold you.
So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Matthew 10:31
Don’t be afraid – you are valuable to the Father.
“Don’t be afraid,” He said, “for you are very precious to God.
Daniel 10:19
Don’t be afraid – you are precious and loved.
“Don’t be afraid. I am here!”
John 6:20
Don’t be afraid – God is with you.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
John 14:27
Don’t be afraid – He will give you peace.
If I could have a life do-over, I’d spend less time worried and afraid!
Although I can’t change the past … I can change the future.
Max Lucado once said, “The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone. But make your fear a visitor and not a resident.”
With God’s help, I can release persistent fear that wants to take up permanent residency and rob me of peace and joy.
I will always have fearful moments. You will too. Life is hard. (I almost made a list of hard things … but honestly, you don’t need my help to come up with things that frighten you.)
Jesus said we’d have troubles. He knew! He experienced them.
“Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
One of the things I love is that Jesus didn’t simply say, “Don’t be afraid.” He gave the reasons why we shouldn’t be afraid.
Don’t be afraid, because…
I am with you.
I have overcome the world.
You are precious and valuable.
You see, throughout His ministry, Jesus also talked about the relationship between faith and fear.
“Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”
Mark 5:36
And…
“Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!”
Matthew 8:26
And the truth is, when I truly believe that I am precious and valuable to the God of the universe, the One who has overcome the world and is always with me and rock solid faith in Jesus, the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life … I have all I need to reject persistent fear.
Friend, I’ve been blessed to experience moments when by God’s grace and with His help my faith was greater than the fear in front of me. And in all honesty, I can still have times when my weak faith keeps me from the victory God wants for me.
So, I’ve built a list of things to do that help me reject fear and move forward in faith.
And I thought they might help you as well…
How to Have Faith that is Greater than Your Fear
♥ Identify the Fear
Sometimes I can just get that old familiar “what if” feeling for no apparent reason at all. It’s important for me to decide – am I really afraid or is this an old bad habit rearing its ugly head once again.
♥ Ask Myself if It’s True
Is the thing that’s frightening me real in my life or is it just another “what if” possibility of something that could happen. If it’s not real … I
♥ Pray about It
If it is real – take it to God. I love these verses…
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt His name together. I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:3–4
I believe that’s a prayer the Lord always wants to answer positively!
♥ Picture Positive Outcomes
Fear often comes from imagining worst-case scenarios. Once I’ve prayed about it … I want to consistently think about God’s love and power and all the ways this thing I fear might have a positive outcome in my life.
♥ Repeat as Often as Necessary – “Fear Doesn’t Change Anything”
It’s a hard truth but I can’t control everything, no matter how much I’d like to!
I can only do what God leads me to do; then I have to entrust the rest of it to His loving care.
♥ Avoid Things that Trigger Fear
You and I are in a spiritual battle. The enemy will use things like the news, websites, tweets, Facebook posts, and anything else he can to send us into the downward spiral of fear.
Part of fighting the battle is knowing the things that trigger my fears and avoiding them as much as possible.
♥ Memorize Faith Strengthening Bible Verses
Scripture is the “sword of the Spirit” for this battle. I’ve memorized many of the verses listed above so I’m ready to fight back whenever necessary.
♥ Get a “Freedom from Fear” Friend.
Sometimes when I’m afraid, it helps to talk with a faith-filled friend who will pray with me and speak God’s encouragement and truth over me.
Friend, I can’t begin to imagine the fear Jesus must have felt as He approached the crucifixion. And yet, He endured the cross and its shame. It is the very thing God used to “overcome the world.”
No fear, real or imagined, is beyond Jesus understanding and compassion. And no fear, no circumstance, no person is beyond His ability to help and to hold.
His victorious right hand is holding you and me, we can be strong and courageous … He is with us wherever we go.
I like these words of Woodrow Kroll…
“Are you facing fear today? Perhaps you are afraid of losing your job, of developing cancer or being left by your spouse. At times all of us experience fear. But don’t allow fear to keep you from being used by God. He has kept you thus far; trust Him for the rest of the way.”
Because when I really believe, when I am full of faith and trust, I can say with David…
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Amen!
And finally, a huge shout out thank you to Alisa Nicaud for inviting me to be part of the From Fear to Freedom Tour. Please head over and check out 29 other wonderful posts from faith-filled bloggers who want to help you become brave and bold.
When fear looms, the first thing I do is go to God in prayer. I know He’s got this! Does the fear go away all at once? Not always, but as I continue to pray, it truly diminishes. What a mighty and loving God we serve!
Blessings, Deb!
I’m with you, Martha! I only wish that I had learned much earlier in life. I spent waaaay too many years living overwhelmed by fear. You’re right … what a mighty and loving God we serve! His grace truly is sufficient one day at a time!
I am really thankful to u as u keep me close to my Jesus whenever I feel rejected or unwanted. God’s grace is enough for me but still somewhere I do lose faith. But the scriptures and verses that u give me confidence to trust the Lord always. Thank u. God bless u
Sheela, I’m so glad you are being blessed by your visits here. Thank you so much for letting me know. God bless you!
Thank you, Deb! Fear and anxiety can paralyze me at times. When I rest in Gods word it helps! Thank you for a wonderful blog! I read it faithfully at work, home or if I am waiting in the car!
Please continue to pray for me for business decisions. I am facing many since my husband’s passing. Sometimes very overwhelming. Thank you!!
Oh, Shawn, you’ve been through a lot. I am praying that God will guide you and give you His peace. Thank you so much for visiting and for letting me know that you are being blessed. I so appreciate your kind encouragement and feel so blessed to be able to do this. I love it!
Deb, I am very new to you blog…….in fact I have so far received five from you. God sure moves in mysterious ways and today’s message could not have come at a better time for me. I could hardly believe the subject….so badly needed.
Many Blessings to you.
Jeannette
Oh, Jeannette, thank you so much for visiting and subscribing. I am always so thankful to know that God used something I’ve written to bless and encourage someone. Thank you for stopping to let me know! God bless you as well!
Oh my goodness!!! I love all of this. I had never thought of recognizing whether it was fear or a habit or of staying away from things that make the fear worse. Thank you so much for this encouragement.
Thank you, Brittany! I am so very blessed by your kind encouragement! Have a wonderful day! God bless you!
Thank you, Stacy! God bless you!
I love these scriptures Deb! Nothing helps increase our faith and renounce fear quicker than the Word! Thanks for sharing these truths with us today! ❤️
Thanks so much for this Deb. We can disrespect people’s very real struggle with trite answers when God’s word has such wonderful truth to comfort those facing fear.
I love that you said Jesus didn’t just say, “Don’t be afraid.” But He said, “I am with you.” Something I had never thought of… When I am afraid of something, I tried to remember how God helped David when he was outnumbered. Makes me realize God can help me like that too!
These words of encouragement are so inspirational, I truly believe God has a plan for all of us having faith gives us the opportunity to paint a picture for us however even when we have lost all hopes and it affects our belief in faith we must remember his plan for us. This is totally uncontrollable indeed whats to be will be is a factual statement. Therefore if we remember Gods UNCONTROLLABLE PLAN we must forget our fears and just hold on to our only destiny FAITH in our Lord.
Amen
Sean, thank you so very much! God’s plan is always best … knowing we can trust His love and His plans for our future gives us peace, hope, and strength whatever is going on at the moment. Thanks again and God bless you!
Deb, Thank you for our words of guidance. I have a request. There are Three of my children, and three of my grandchildren, who have not excepted Christ as their Savior. I am over the hill praying for them daily. Going to do make notes on the scriptures you have noted,to say every time I think of them,being positive. Not worrying about it.I am seventy eight years old, and I am praying to see them all living for Jesus before go home to meet my Lord. Thank you again for your words. May God bless you for your works.
Yours is a mother’s greatest prayer. We want nothing more than to spend a forever future with the Lord and with our families. I’m lifting up your children and grandchildren with you. May God bless you and answer your beautiful prayer to see them overwhelmed by His love in your lifetime. God bless you!