Faith or Fear? Part 3
Hello all you faith-filled Mothers of Nations! I pray you have been full of faith this past week and defeated every fear-filled thought that the enemy has tried to send your way. Today we will complete our discussion of Faith or Fear? by looking at two more actions that we can take as believers when fear comes to challenge our faith in God. Let’s look at those now.
- Discourage any unbelief in our lives.
What is unbelief? It could be defined as the absence of faith or distrust. Unbelief leads to worry, anxiety, and panic. Some of the fruits of unbelief includes sickness, disappointment, depression, discouragement, and anger. Simply stated, unbelief is the very opposite of faith.
One great example of believing God rather that walking in unbelief is found in the life of Abraham.
Galatians 3: 5-7 (NLT)
5 I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.6 In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” 7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.
Romans 4: 3 (NLT)
3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
Jesus had much to say about fear and faith. Let’s look at this passage in
Matthew 6: 25-34 (NLT).
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
- Develop our faith.
Jesus Himself said that we should have faith in God.
Mark 11: 22 (NLT)
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God.”
So what are some ways that we can develop our faith? Let’s look at several Scriptures that encourage and guide our faith’s growth and development.
Hope in God Word
Psalm 119: 114 (NLT)
You are my refuge and my shield; Your Word is my source of hope.
Stand in peace.
Philippians 4: 7 (NLT)
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Put on the armor of God.
Ephesians 6: 17 (NLT)
Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Thank God for the victory.
1 Corinthians 15: 57 (NLT)
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Know God is with us.
Isaiah 43: 1-3 (NLT)
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the One who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
Psalm 56: 9 (NLT)
My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!
Rest in God
Psalm 62: 5 (NLT)
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.
Love God
1 John 4: 18 (NLT)
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.
Deuteronomy 30: 20 (NLT)
You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Worship God
1 Samual 12: 24 (NLT)
But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve Him. Think of all the wonderful things He has done for you.
Remember what God has done.
Psalm 40: 5 (NLT)
O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.
Psalm 105: 4-5 (NLT)
Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him. 5 Remember the wonders He has performed, His miracles, and the rulings He has given.
Psalm 77: 11-12 (NLT)
But then I recall all You have done, O Lord; I remember Your wonderful deeds of long ago. 12 They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about Your mighty works.
There is nothing more powerful and effective in building our faith than meditating on God’s Word. It reveals the Lord’s never-ending love and rich promises of caring for us. There is nothing more secure than living our lives in Christ and in the love of Father God! Why should we ever choose to fear?
Mothers of Nations, let’s commit today that when we have choices to make, FAITH OR FEAR?, let’s choose FAITH every time!
Dr. Sharon Predovich
