“Now faith is the peace of mind of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
The human propensity to fear, apart from in healthy reverence to God’s character, is utilized by the enemy to distract us from the total life in Christ we’re called to live. Faith is a robust muscle, nevertheless it should be developed in tandem to our relationship with Christ. Through His Holy Spirit living in us, we now have the facility to thwart fears that try to trip, badger, and harass us. Faith shields us from unhealthy fear. “Fear stands on the doorway of our destinies and dares us to step inside,” writes Sharon Jaynes for “Your Daily Prayer,” “It bullies us into believing that if we step across the edge we’ll fail, or worse yet, God will fail us.” Faith creates a barrier through which we are able to astutely filter fear, align it with God’s truth, and lay it at His feet. Developing faith that conquers fears takes every day discipline, constant prayer, knowledge of who God is, and recognizing who He says we’re.
5 Ways to Keep Faith over Fear
Here are five ways to grow in faith and conquer your fear.
1. Define the Proper Source of Confidence for Faith
“Such confidence we now have through Christ before God. Not that we’re competent in ourselves to assert anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-5
This verse answers a matter a number of chapters earlier in Paul’s letter, referring to the 2 tracks of human life on earth. We are either following Christ and being saved or powering through on our own accord and perishing. (NIVSB) If we aren’t willing to do the work of developing our faith, we’ll get caught in fear’s undertow. God has not given us a spirit of fear,” 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds, “but of power of affection and of a sound mind.”
“Human beings are born with two fears: fear of falling and fear of loud noises,” writes Dan Johnson for “Home Word” devotions, “Fear is inborn, so every day life in Christ requires replacing old fears with recent.” Confident faith is rooted within the quiet moments with God, and in pursuit of our Savior. Fear of God propels our confidence by who He says we’re. Fear of man relies on what the world says we must always be. “Fear of God means nothing lower than caring more about what God thinks than what people think,” to further quote Mr. Johnson, “Being like Christ means transcending our biology and living as children of our great God.”
2. Develop the Strength to Endure Fear
“Consider him who endured such opposition for sinners, so that you’ll not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:3
Fear is a typical thread of humanity, and our response to it exposes the condition of our faith. A protracted-distance runner must accumulate stamina and strength. We must persistently train ourselves to know and live God’s truth. It allows us to swap fear for peace, just as a runner pushes through not possible amounts of pain to go the total distance.
“Everyone has fears,” assures Pastor Rick Warren in “Daily Hope,” “your problem isn’t that you just’re afraid. It’s what you do with the fear that basically matters.” Jesus selflessly walked through immense pain to get to the cross. When we’re training, that’s the attitude we’re to adopt. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So don’t fear, for I’m with you; don’t be dismayed, for I’m your God. I’ll strengthen you and provide help to; I’ll uphold you with my righteous hand.” Sometimes we glance back years later and trace His hand on our steps. But, identical to a runner doesn’t feel fit after the primary month of running, we’re getting stronger with each faithful stride.
3. Pray for Perspective
“The LORD sets prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those that are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.” Psalm 146:7-8 ESV
Our view of God is proscribed on this earth. As we develop our faith, we start to see glimpses of life through His everlasting perspective. His perspective is everlasting, He is just.
“Blessed is he whose assistance is the God of Jacob, whose assistance is within the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, the ocean, and all that’s in them, who keeps faith without end; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.” Psalm 146:5-7a ESV
God is in sovereign control, whilst the earth unravels. When we’re tempted to fear all we fail to know, faith keeps us from coming completely unglued. “Reality tells us a lot of what we spend our time worrying about never even happens,” writes Debbie McDaniel, “Living under the burden of the ‘what if’s’ is a tough place to dwell.”
4. The Right Relationships Produce Bravery and Faith
A transparent relationship with God is a robust weapon over fear. Things we wouldn’t cry out to a soul on this earth we are able to freely bring to His presence. He hears us and is near the brokenhearted. “There isn’t any such thing as a fearless Christians,” writes John Bloom of desiringGod.org, “considered one of the telltale signs that he’s answering my prayers is that I’m forced to face quite a few situations and decisions that incite fear- the form of fear that makes me need to withdraw from the daring words and deeds of affection in Jesus’ name that these situations and decisions require.”
The VOICE paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 1:9 ensures, “Count on this: God is faithful and in His faithfulness called you out into an intimate relationship with His Son, our Lord Jesus the Anointed.” Jesus was extremely transparent with His friends on earth. He washed their feet, explained every thing the Father told Him to them. Jesus wept with His friends, He prayed with intimately with and for them, healed them, forgave them, and ultimately died for them … and us. He calls us friends. He lives in us, yet so often we don’t let Him in. We honor our fears over our God after we consider their strength to be greater than the One that conquered death.
“There isn’t any fear in love,” 1 John 4:18 assures, “But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears isn’t made perfect in love.” Our Father put us in communities, to support and encourage one another. “Fear and worry can eat you when you’re not careful,” wrote Ryan Duncan, “and it’s vital for Christians to surround themselves with a solid support system.” We will not be meant to live life alone. It’s much scarier that way, and grants fear more power. Galatians 6:2 advises, “carry one another’s burdens, and in this fashion you’ll fulfill the law of Christ.” Lean into community, and trust God has placed people in proximity as extensions of His love.
For more verses about community, click here.
5. Clearly Define Self-Care and Faith
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who’s in you, whom you may have received from God? You will not be your individual; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God along with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
We cannot live life to the total if we’re running on empty. God built Sabbath into our lives, and it’s vital to honor it. We are sensible to take healthy steps to achieve the total potential God has purposed us for, but neglecting our physical steps doesn’t decrease His love for us. “Modern medical research has proved that worry can actually break down your resistance to disease,” wrote Greg Laurie, “Excessive worry can shorten your life.”
Self-care includes guarding God’s Truth as our top priority, knowing our focus drives the general direction of our faith. “Paul says physical training is of some value,” writes Kevin DeYoung, “It’s good to need to look after our bodies. But the fear of man turns a healthy self-care into an obsession with our shape, color, and size.” God needs to be the one a part of our routine we are able to’t live without.
Click here for more verses about your body.
Keep Faith over Fear
Faith is listening and trusting beyond what we are able to see and make sense of. Scripture says God shields the righteous, and to forged our anxieties on Him because He cares for us. Faith over fear is selecting Him day by day, and each time something threatens to steal our attention. Keven DeYoung wrote of Jesus, “when it got here to living a life in obedience to God, he knew higher than to depend on the opinions of men.” The source of all community on this earth is God, but be cautious not to place every other relationship above Him. Faith a choice to concentrate on what He says is true as an alternative of wondering over the “what-ifs” in life. Christ never promised us easy, but He did promise we wouldn’t walk through anything alone. Faith holds on for dear life when the pain is unexplainable, unfair, and seemingly never-ending.
Click here for more verses about faith.
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