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… choose faith!

Bad things happen to everyone from time to time. The Bible makes that clear (Ecclesiastes 9:2). The difference is not always what happens to us, but how we respond. Every difficult circumstance presents us with a choice: will we respond in fear, or will we respond in faith?

Imagine two people caught in the same violent storm at sea. One panics because all he can see are the towering waves. The other fixes his eyes on the lighthouse standing firmly on the shore. The storm is the same, but their focus is different. Fear fixes its eyes on the problem; faith fixes its eyes on God.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced a choice like that

King Nebuchadnezzar commanded them to bow before his golden image or be thrown into a blazing furnace. They refused. They trusted God whether He chose to deliver them or not (Daniel 3:16-18). Their confidence was not in the outcome but in the character of God. God honored their faith by walking with them in the fire and bringing them safely through it.

The Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)

Faith believes God’s Word over our fears, no matter how impossible the situation appears. Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as being “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith believes that God is working behind the scenes even when we cannot see His hand.

God has filled His Word with promises for every season of life

2 Corinthians 1:20 reminds us that all of God’s promises are “Yes” in Christ. When fear comes knocking, answer it with God’s promises instead of your emotions.

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 any 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

PS: Please forward this to someone who may need encouragement.