Life is this incredible journey filled with choices, and one of the most pivotal choices we face daily is whether to live by faith or be consumed by fear. It’s like standing at a crossroads. One path leads to faith, the other to fear. The problem is that faith and fear cannot co-exist.

Fear, simply stated, is unbelief. It stems from a lack of belief in the goodness and power of God. As this unbelief gets the upper hand, fear begins controlling our emotions and thoughts. When fear takes hold, it grips our hearts and minds, clouding our judgment and robbing us of peace.

On the other hand, faith is about assurance and conviction. Faith is anchored in the wisdom of Hebrews 11:1, reminding us that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Our faith is a vibrant trust in a God who not only loves us unconditionally but also intimately knows our thoughts and cares about our deepest needs. It’s this unwavering belief that propels us forward, guiding our steps with confidence and hope.

Biblical faith is a settled confidence in the trustworthiness of God’s promises. It goes beyond wishful thinking. Faith is the steadfast assurance that God is faithful to His Word. As our confidence in His promises deepens, and our conviction strengthens, faith takes the reins, shaping not just our emotions but also our thoughts and actions. It becomes the driving force that directs our entire being, guiding us with purpose and certainty.

3 Categories of Fear

I’ve discovered that most of our fears can be summed up in 3 categories:

1. We fear DARKNESS – this is the fear of the unknown. It is fear that creeps in when we are going through situations and circumstances when the future is unclear. We become fearful when uncertainty is on the horizon.
2. We fear DEATH – this is the fear of loss. Many people are paralyzed by the fear of dying or facing the death of a loved one. This fear of loss also plays out when we have a fear of dying to ourselves so that we can fully submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
3. We fear DEFEAT – this is the fear of rejection or fear of failure. This fear keeps us from taking risks. It stops us from stretching ourselves and expanding our possibilities. Fear of defeat causes us to live with the status quo.

Faith Over Fear

So, how do we overcome our fear? We do so by increasing our faith. As our faith increases our fear decreases. Our faith increases when we have a growing confidence and assurance that God is for us, that He will never leave us, and that He is sovereign over our entire lives.

As I was reading Psalm 27:1, it was another reminder that the very nature of who God is helps us overcome our fear. David writes, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”. This verse tells us three characteristics of God that help us overcome our most common fears.

3 Reasons to Put Your Faith in God

1. God is our LIGHT – God’s light illuminates our darkness. Even when we can’t see, we know that God can and that He will shed light on our situation in His time. We can have faith that God knows our unknowns.
2. God is our SALVATION – God’s salvation provides hope in the face of death. Knowing that God loves us and desires a relationship with us through Jesus Christ helps us overcome our fear of death. We have no reason to fear because we are secured in the hands of our loving Heavenly Father.
3. God is our STRONGHOLD – God’s strength lifts us up when we are defeated. When God is our power and strength, we can take risks and break free from the status quo.

Remember, every day is a choice. A choice to be paralyzed by fear or propelled by faith. Choose faith! For in faith, we find the strength to overcome every fear that tries to ensnare us. May your journey be filled with unwavering faith, unyielding hope, and the boundless love of God.

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