Faith or Fear? Part 2

Last week we started our discussion of the topic Faith or Fear? If you did not read through that blog entry, I would encourage you to do that first before moving on with today’s selection. It will give you some great foundational information as we continue this discussion.

Regarding the choices that come before us, what do we give control to? Think about this carefully. Do we give control to faith-filled thoughts or to fear-filled thoughts? We make these choices constantly as life’s challenges come before us. Faith or fear? Faith or fear?

Mothers of Nations, consider this honestly. As we love God and are in relationship with Him, we know that we know He loves us as well! So why do we submit to fear?

1 John 4: 18 (NLT) reminds us of this truth.

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love.

Fear can take us on a wild mental journey of uncertainty and doubt.

What if?

I can’t.

I’m scared.

I won’t be able to do it.

All these thoughts and more will be hurled regularly at us by the enemy if we let him. Therefore, we must take authority over these fear attacks and refuse to live in our “brain of fear!”  It’s simply a useless state of being.

Ephesians 4: 17-18, 24

¹⁷ With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. ¹⁸ Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

2 Corinthians 10: 5 (NLT) reminds us to take captive every thought.

⁵ We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

Mothers of Nations, what can we do to combat fear? What principles and truth has our God provided so that we can be victorious over the wiles of the devil? Let’s talk about several actions that we as believers should take when fear challenges our faith.

• Determine if what we fear is real or is it a deception, a lie, a misconception, an assumption, or a hidden subconscious problem.

Remember, Satan is called the father of lies.

John 8: 44-47 (NLT)

⁴⁴ For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. ⁴⁵ So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! ⁴⁶ Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? ⁴⁷ Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”

We must determine to not listen to the devil, believe him, or in any way yield to his suggestions and fear producing lies. Remember that Joshua admonished to choose this day who you would serve. That could be rephrased to choose who you will believe!

• Decide not to make fear an idol in our lives.

Let’s each take a moment right now to honestly think about how much attention we actually give to fear. Do our thoughts switch to fearful images hourly? Daily? Weekly? Monthly?

An idol is anything that receives more of our attention than God does. What does the Word say about idols?

Exodus 20: 3 (NLT)

“You must not have any other god but Me.”

Matthew 6: 33 (NLT)

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.

Next week we will conclude our thoughts on this topic of Faith or Fear? by discussing two more important actions we can take as believers when fear comes to challenge our faith. Be alert to the enemy’s ploys and “take action” to show him that you are serious about defeating every fear that he throws your way!

Dr. Sharon Predovich