Faith over Fear 8-Week Challenge: Day 3

Week One:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV).

The human propensity to fear, other than in healthy reverence to God’s character, is used by the enemy to distract us from the full life in Christ we are called to live. Faith is a powerful muscle, but it must be developed in tandem to our relationship with Christ. Through His Holy Spirit living in us, we have the power to thwart fears that attempt to trip, badger, and harass us. Faith shields us from unhealthy fear. “Fear stands at the doorway of our destinies and dares us to step inside,” ~ Sharon Jaynes. Fear bullies us into believing that if we step across the threshold we will fail or worse yet, God will fail us. Faith creates a barrier and strong tower through which we can astutely filter fear, align it with God’s truth, and lay it at His feet. This is season to develope and nurture your faith so that it can help you conquer fears, which takes daily discipline, constant prayer, knowledge of who God is, and recognizing who He says we are. There are five ways to grow in faith and conquer your fear in this season:

1. Define the Proper Source of Confidence for Faith:

Keep in mind that such confidence and trust we must be obtain and maintain through Christ. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. “And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God” 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (NKJV). A few chapters earlier in Paul’s letter, referring to the two tracks of human life on earth. We are either following Christ and being saved or powering through on our own accord and perishing. If we aren’t willing to do the work of developing our faith, we will get caught in fear’s undertow of that comes from this evil world system.

2. Develop the Strength to Endure Fear:

“Consider him who endured such opposition for sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:3 (NKJV). Fear is a common thread of humanity, and our reaction to it exposes the condition of our faith. A long-distance runner must accumulate stamina and strength. We must persistently train ourselves to know and live God’s truth. It allows us to swap fear for peace, just as a runner pushes through impossible amounts of pain to go the full distance. Everyone has fears and your problem isn’t that you’re afraid not you have lack of faith or confidence in God to make provision for you with your daily needs. Nevertheless, It’s what you do with the fear that really matters, because faith cause emotional, mental, physical and spiritual issues. Jesus selflessly walked through immense pain to get to the cross. When we’re training, that’s the attitude we are to adopt. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.” Our confident faith is rooted in the quiet moments with God, and in pursuit of our Savior. While, fear of God propels our confidence by who He says we are. Fear of man is based on what the world says we should be. “Fear of God means nothing less than caring more about what God thinks than what people think to further dreams, goals and visions.

3. Pray for Perspective:

“Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.” 1 Samuel 1:8-10 (NKJV). Just Like Hananah cried out to God and asked Him to give her a son. Her hope returned because she trusted Him with her future. Our view of God is limited on this earth. As we develop our faith, we begin to see glimpses of life through His eternal perspective. His perspective is eternal, He is just.“Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,Whose hope is in the Lord his God,Who made heaven and earth,The sea, and all that is in them;Who keeps truth forever.” Psalm 146:5-6 (NKJV). God is in sovereign control, even as the earth unravels. When we’re tempted to fear all we fail to understand, faith keeps us from coming completely unglued. Reality tells us so much of what we spend our time worrying about never even happens Time with God can help us combat hopelessness, it also moves our attention from the circumstances to the Father's great love for us. If, we continue to livie under the weight of the “what if’s”, fear will keep us a prisoner to past hurt and pain.“Who executes justice for the oppressed,Who gives food to the hungry.The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind;The Lord raises those who are bowed down;The Lord loves the righteous.” Psalm 146:7-8 (NKJV).

4. The Right Relationships Produce Bravery and Faith:

“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” 1 Corinthians 1:9 (NKJV). A transparent relationship with God is a powerful weapon over fear. Things we wouldn’t cry out to a soul on this earth we can freely bring to His presence. He hears us and is close to the brokenhearted. God is faithful and in His faithfulness called you out into an intimate relationship with His Son, our Lord Jesus the Anointed. Jesus was extremely transparent with His friends on earth. He washed their feet, explained everything the Father told Him to them. Jesus wept with His friends, He prayed with intimately with and for them, healed them, forgave them, and ultimately died for them. He calls us friends. He lives in us, yet so often we don’t let Him in. We must honor our fears over our God when we consider their strength to be more than the One that conquered death. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” 1 John 4:18 (NKJV). It is that perfect love drives out fear, because early fear creates chaos, hostility, mistreatment and punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love with Christ Jesus. Our Father put us in communities, to support and encourage each other. Fear and worry can consume you if you’re not walking by God's divine perspective of walking by faith and not by sight.

5. Clearly Define Self-Care and Faith:

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV). We cannot live life to the full if we are running on empty. God built Sabbath into our lives, and it’s important to honor it. We are wise to take healthy steps to reach the full potential God has purposed us for, but neglecting our physical steps does not decrease His love for us. “Modern medical research has proved that worry can actually break down your resistance to disease.”“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV). Human beings are born with two fears: fear of falling and fear of loud noises, although fear is inborn, so daily life in Christ requires replacing old fears with new confidence, reassurance, strength and trust. Excessive worry can shorten your life, and self-care includes guarding God’s Truth as our top priority, knowing our focus drives the overall direction of our faith. Paul says physical training is of some value, writes Kevin DeYoung. It’s good to want to care for our bodies. But the fear of man turns a healthy self-care into an obsession with our shape, color, and size. God should be the only part of our routine we can’t live without. It’s important for Christians surround themselves with a solid faith and believers connected to that support system. We are not meant to live life alone. It’s much scarier that way, and grants fear more power. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (NKJV). It’s time for us lean on our family and loved ones, churches and communities; as we trust that God has placed people in proximity as extensions of His unconditional love that helps grow our faith.