Choosing Faith Over Fear

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.’ ” (Matthew 6:31-32).

When all is well, it is easy for us to think that our faith and trust is in God. But, the daily challenges we face always reveal the truth of whether our faith is in God, or in ourselves.

If we never take our routine obstacles and minor issues to God, asking for His Divine help then we easily develop a spirit of self-reliance.

The Truth of “Where Is Your Faith?” is revealed when adversity barges into our lives. If our initial response is, “What am I going to do?,” then our faith is displaced, which comes from relying and trusting in our human thoughts and wisdom.

Excerpt from Today’s Devotional: Embracing His Assurance – Elizabeth Viera Talbot

“Our senior pastor, Jon Cicarelli, preached a sermon entitled Fearless. To help the congregation visualize fear, he introduced his talk by showing several underwater photos of people cautiously swimming next to large whales and sharks.”

“As he developed the topic, he asked the congregation to repeat aloud: “Do not be afraid, only believe.” He reminded us that God is competent to handle our lives and that He loves us.”

“Fear is like a giant shadow lurking in the deep waters of our minds.”

“Yet most of what we fear never happens, and the rest is not within our control. This is not the ‘fight or flight’ type of fear but a restless anxiety that takes over our lives. 

“But what if we are actually facing our worst fears?”

“This is what happened to Jairus.  He came to Jesus, asking Him to heal his only daughter, who was twelve years old and was dying.  On the way to his house, Jesus healed a hemorrhaging woman, who had been sick for twelve years (Luke 8:48).”

Then Jairus’ worst nightmare came true: “While He was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, ‘Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore’ (verse 49).” 

“Jairus must have been very much afraid at that point, because Jesus had to tell him: ‘Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well’ (verse 50). Then Jesus proceeded to raise Jairus’ daughter from the dead (verse 54).”

“The treatment Jesus prescribes for fear has always been to choose Faith over fear.”

At some point, in our Christian Journey, every believer has experienced a challenge so overwhelming that fear was our first response. And maybe, you are currently facing a hardship that has revealed your faith in God is weak.

Prayer Is Our Lifeline to Divine Help!

“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].” (Hebrews 4:16, Amplified Bible).

With humility, we ask for forgiveness [for focusing our faith on ourselves], for God’s Divine Help, and thank Him for His Intervention in the same prayer.

Through prayer, we admit our inability to resolve the vicissitudes of life, and invite God to use His Sovereign Power to intervene.

From studying the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus, and 2 Chronicles 20, we learn that  only God can give us the victory!

God never refuses to answer our prayers for His help, yet, His timing will never synchronize with our expectations.

Despite how lengthy the hardships last, we must overcome the desire to step outside God’s will while in the time of waiting.

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14).

Because God sees time as Eternal, He knows our lifespan, and every challenge we will endure in our earthly lives. So, God who governs this world has no need to immediately answer our prayers.

“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24).

Because the Triune God is Omniscient [All-knowing], when we pray for Divine Help, Heavenly Intervention begins immediately.

The Heavenly Chain Reaction for Helping the Righteous

God, the Holy Spirit takes our prayers to God, Jesus, the Son, our Intercessor, Who receives every prayer from the Holy Spirit, and sends His answers through the Holy Spirit.

Not only does Jesus send His Divine strength through the Holy Spirit, but He also sends messenger angels to give us the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical strength to persevere through the daily struggle. Yes and Amen!

We always receive spiritual strength before we receive God’s resolution. By waiting on God, our faith strengthens, and we reveal our desire to faithfully obey and depend on God.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.” (Jeremiah 31:3, BSB).

Lord God, we thank you for Your amazing love. We admit that we have not been faithful, and for this we ask for forgiveness. Lord, we desperately need Your help to overcome these challenges, and to stay on the Path of Righteousness. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.

© 2025 STEPS 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions Ministry