Faith over Fear 8-Week Challenge: Day 2

Week One:

It’s a choice every believer can’t avoid, either we are walking in faith or fear. You must learn how to choose faith over fear. Faith in the face of fear stretches us to grow up spiritually. In Romans 10:17 we recognize that “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ”. In order to build our faith we must broaden our knowledge, understanding, and application of God’s word. The following 5 steps reveal how to choose faith over fear with the Holy Scriptures:

Step 1: Use the Word -

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 and foremothers in the faith as a testimony that God is able to help us overcome our fears in adversity. "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart " Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV).

Step 2: Obey the Word -

While the Bible places a strong emphasis on obedience, it's critical to remember that believers are not justified (made righteous) by obedience. Salvation is a free gift of God, and we can do nothing to merit it. True Christian obedience flows from a heart of gratitude for the grace we have received from the Lord. 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 energizing 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 unknown. "Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God " James 2:22-23 (NKJV). Step 3: Speak the Word -

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 silence of our thoughts. Yet in contrast, our faith is strengthened and grows out of our spoken confidence of God’s truth. There’s something about repeating the Holy Scriptures that helps us to push forward when we want to give up. We speak the words within and out loud bolstering our faith and quieting our fears. "Therefore prepare yourself and arise,And speak to them all that I command you.Do not be dismayed before their faces,Lest I dismay you before them" Jeremiah 1:17 (NKJV).

Step 5: Live the Word -

As believers we should know, obey, speak, and pray the Word of God, in which we must 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 in His word: fear just isn’t a viable option. As we live out our faith, the Holy Spirit 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. You must choose to not only walk by faith, but choose faith over fear! Because, we know that fear brings torment, but perfect love drives it away. As we long for the Word of God more than our necessary physical food, for His love will be perfected in our hearts. The faith within our hearts builds from the foundation of love from God. Faith based on the teaching, reading, and hearing of the Bible has the best possibility of overcoming fear. By choosing the Word of God, we choose faith over fear. "esus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? " John 11:25-26 (NKJV).