I was asked to substitute for the young preteen girls class a few months ago. As I prayed about a Sunday school lesson, I felt impressed to teach about Fear. Fear is something that really has no bounds and affects all ages and sometimes can be such a hindrance in our lives. As I begin to study about fear, I realized the Word of God has a lot to say about this topic . Just the phrases “Fear not” or “Be not afraid appear over 103 times.
There are many instances of people throughout the Word of God who were faced with fears.
It’s a choice every believer can’t avoid—either we are walking in faith or fear. Faith in the face of fear stretches us to grow spiritually. In Romans 10:17 we read that …faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
In order to build our faith, we must increase our knowledge, understanding, and application of God’s Word
So, how can we purposely choose to have
faith over succumbing to fear ??
(spoiler: it has everything to do with God’s Word! )
Know the Word
(Psalm 119:66-Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Psalms 119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
Knowing God’s word is the foundation and beginning of choosing faith over fear. Our knowledge of the Bible can be a deciding factor in the strength or weakness of our faith. It’s our knowing what God’s Word says that gives us the courage to boldly stretch our faith in trusting God for the impossible. We look to the examples of our forefathers in the faith as a testimony that God is able to help us overcome our fears in adversity.
Obey the Word
James 2:22-Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Luke 11:28 - But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
We must commit ourselves to obey God’s word with our actions. Our practice of obeying God’s word gives us confidence when we are confronted by fear. Fear can be paralyzing, but faith is ignited when we put God’s word into action. The more we step out in faith in obedience to word of God with a pure heart—the more our faith grows in the Lord and we are less afraid of the our fears.
Speak the Word
(Deuteronomy 30:14--But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.)
There are times we need to simply speak out loud what the Bible teaches in the face of fear. Fear breeds on our doubts in the silent battleground of our thoughts. Yet, our faith is strengthened and grows when we speak in confidence of God’s truth. There’s something about repeating/speaking His Word that helps us to propel forward when we want to give up. When we both speak the words within and also out loud, our faith is bolstered faith and our fears recede.
I saw this in practice in the life of my own papaw. When he was in the later stages of his cancer and the illness was wrecking havoc on his stricken body, my papaw fought fear so badly. He had been sick off and on for most of his life with chronic lung issues…Fear plagued his mind. He was afraid of “smothering to death” and even somewhat of death itself. He knew he had a “better home” over on the other side…but the process of getting there by passing through “chilly Jordan” (death) was scary to him—that great unknown. As the sickness raged in his body and more and more of his physical abilities became diminished, Satan began to work overtime in his mind— taunting him and bringing up stuff that happened 30 years in the past, (long before “the Blood” had been applied) — making him fearful of even of the assurance of his salvation. We watched as he fretted and worried but we also saw as he rallied and realized his strength didn’t lie in his own goodness or his own merit, but rather in the shed Blood of Jesus. He recognized his strength to overcome the paralysis of fear lay in the Word of God. He asked us to find encouraging verses to help him fight off the fear and anxiety. We wrote over a hundred verses on separate sheets of computer paper (we wrote them large print in magic marker so he could read them easily from his home hospital bed) I watched as he begin to “fight back” against those debilitating mind battles by “speaking the Word”…He overcame all his fear by the Power of Word of God !! As his illness progressed, he lost ability to communicate verbally... the night before he passed away in the hospital, we were all gathered around his bedside. The doctors had told us the end was soon to come. As we gathered around him, I vividly remember my uncle asking him if he was afraid...Because he could no longer talk, my uncle said blink once if you are afraid, blink twice if you are not afraid anymore. HE BLINKED TWICE! My uncle had him do it again to make sure. We knew then that the GOD of ALL peace had arrived and was gonna carry him safely over "Jordan"... no more fear!! Earlier, when everyone else went down to get a bite to eat, I stayed up there in the room with him for a few minutes alone. I began to sing one of his favorite old hymns, What a Day that Will Be. As I sat there beside his bed, singing that song and holding his hand, I felt his feeble, IV bruised hand grip mine and with his eyes still closed, he began to softly mouth the words to that song one last time on this side...(It wasn't long after though, that he got to experience it for himself when he crossed over with Jesus hand in hand... ) What a saint! He showed us not only how to live a victorious life, but also how to die a victorious death!! (I Corinthians 15:55--O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?) Fear had no power over the Word of God!!
Pray the Word
(Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.).
Some of the best prayer examples come straight from the Bible. Prayers of Moses, David, Daniel, Paul, and best of all—Jesus serves as great examples of how to get our faith over the mountain of fear. Many of the Psalms were written in desperate and fearful times causing the author to remember the goodness and grace of God. We can also search the scriptures for the promises of God to build our faith up when we are feeling fearful. Using God’s word as our battle ammunition daily in prayer builds a fortitude of faith that destroys fear.
Live the Word
Proverbs 3:1-35 - My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments
Proverbs 30:5-6 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him
2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Psalms 119:105 - Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path
A person who knows, obeys, speaks, and prays the Word of God—will live it out in faith and not fear. The choice of faith becomes easier as we become overwhelmingly confident that God will do as He says He will in His word—fear just isn’t an option anymore. As we live out our faith, the Holy Ghost brings a greater assurance in our hearts. Through a renewed hope in God, we become more attuned to His Will and unafraid to move in His direction. It is through the constant use of God’s word that matures our faith to the point where fear is no longer the deciding factor in our lives.
Choose Faith!
We know that fear brings torment, but perfect love drives it away. When we long for the Word of God and make it our life’s passion—His love is perfected in our hearts. The faith within our hearts builds from the foundation of love from God. Faith built on the teaching, reading, and hearing of the Bible has the best results of overcoming fear.
By choosing to read the Word of God, believe the Word of God, speak the Word of God, meditate on God’s Word and apply/live the Word of God, we make a conscious effort to choose faith over fear.
In a world where fear and uncertainties abound, we, as women of God, must reclaim our unshakable faith in a God that WILL NOT FAIL!!
When you are constantly feeding your spirit, Faith will automatically grow!!
From my heart to yours,
-Tiphanie ❤️
(more resources below)
Here are just a few of the many verses to study on HIS WORD!! Faith will be built when our minds are consumed in HIM!!
Meditate on his Word!! Pray the Word!!
Fear has no dominion over us when we allow God to “renew” our minds with His victorious Word!! There is Power in His Word!!
Psalms 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever Deuteronomy 31:12
Gather the people together, men and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee
Psalm 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word
Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word
Psalm 119:28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word
Psalm 119:42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word
Psalm 119:49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have said that I would keep thy words.
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word
Psalm 119:74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
Psalm 119:76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
Psalm 119:81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
Psalm 119:89 For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.
Psalm 119:101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.
Psalm 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
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