When you need faith over fear
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you..” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
Faith and fear are choices to choose between… choose faith!
Bad things happen from time to time to everyone, the Bible says so, “Both good and bad things happen to everyone...” (Eccles. 9:2). However, no matter what negative thing may happen to you, at that moment you are faced with the choice of how you’re going to react. You can react with fear or you can react with faith. Both faith and fear are choices to be made. In chapter three of the book of Daniel, three Hebrew men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refused to bow down to the king’s image even though they we’re told they would be thrown into the furnace if they refused. Instead of fear they chose faith and trusted God, no matter what the outcome would be, good or bad. And, of course, we know how the story ended, God delivered them. But, the point to remember is they chose God regardless of how things looked and no matter what the outcome might be. Now, that’s faith. And, the Bible says we cannot please God without faith, (Heb. 11:6). Faith is believing God’s word over fear! No matter how things look. Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as being “certain of what we do not see.” It is an absolute belief that God is constantly working behind the scenes in every area of our lives, even when there is no tangible evidence to support that fact. It’s standing firmly on God’s Word no matter what. There are thousands of promises in the Bible covering all possible situations and needs. And they are all “Yes” for you (2 Cor. 1:20). When faced with any fearful situation, look up the related promises and stand firmly on them.
A few examples of problems and Bible promises to stand firmly on
When faced with financial trouble
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)
When faced with disease, pestilence or pandemic
“I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.” (Psalms 91:2-8 NIV)
When faced with uncertain future
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you..” (Psalm 32:8)
When someone turns against you
“If God is for us who can be against us!” (Rom. 8:31)
When fearful about anything at all
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).
Quote:
“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds, In a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear.” - John Newton