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How Faith Can Overcome Fear and Doubt – Viral Believer
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How Faith Can Overcome Fear and Doubt

Introduction

For many Christians, the concept of faith is familiar, but putting faith into practice can be a struggle. This is especially true when we experience fear and doubt. Fear and doubt can be crippling and can hinder our spiritual growth. In this blog post, we will explore how faith can overcome these obstacles and how we can cultivate a faith-filled life.

The Bible tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV). Faith requires trust in God even when things seem uncertain. This can be challenging in today’s world, where uncertainties abound. However, when we choose to rely on God and put our faith into action, we can achieve the impossible.

Many stories in the Bible illustrate how faith overcomes fear and doubt. David and Goliath is one such story that illustrates how immense faith can lead to an incredible victory. This story is just one example of how faith can move mountains and help us face our fears and doubts. Let us now explore how we can cultivate this faith for ourselves.

faith in the Bible

The Definition of Faith

According to Hebrews 11:1 in the NKJV, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is not just a feeling, it is a conviction. It is an unwavering belief in the existence, power, and goodness of God, even when we cannot see or feel it. It is the firm assurance that God is in control and that He will work all things for our good, even when circumstances suggest otherwise.

Overcoming Fear and Doubt with Faith

When we face fear and doubt, it is easy to give in to our emotions and let them control us. This is when we need to remember that we have already been given the gift of faith by God. We simply need to exercise it. We can start by reading the Bible and meditating on God’s promises. The Bible is filled with stories of people who faced their fears and doubts and overcame them through their faith in God. We can also pray and ask God to strengthen our faith and to help us trust Him more. When we focus on God instead of our fears and doubts, we can find peace and hope that surpasses all understanding.

Examples of Faith Overcoming Fear and Doubt

One of the best examples of faith overcoming fear and doubt is the story of David and Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17, we read about how David, a shepherd boy, faced the giant Goliath, who was a formidable opponent. David could have easily been afraid and doubted his ability to defeat Goliath, but he had faith in God. He said to Goliath, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts…This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand” (1 Samuel 17:45-46, NKJV). David had the faith that God would give him the victory, and he did.

Another example is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who were thrown into a fiery furnace because they refused to worship a golden image. In Daniel 3, we read about how these three men were not afraid and did not doubt God’s power to save them. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king…But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18, NKJV). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego had faith that God could save them, but even if He did not, they were still faithful to Him.

Faith and Fear cannot Co-Exist

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Fear is a natural human emotion, but when it becomes a pervasive, debilitating force in our lives, it comes to rob us of peace and joy. It is important to note that our faith in God and fear cannot co-exist. They are mutually exclusive. Fear feeds on doubt, and doubt eats up faith. However, faith starves fear, and when our faith is in action, it is impossible for fear to dominate our lives.

Many times, the negative circumstances around us can easily discourage our hearts from moving forward in faith. Fear thrives in these moments of darkness, paralyzing and keeping us from achieving our God-given purpose. For instance, when Peter walked on the water in Matthew 14:28-32, he only began to sink when he focused on the storm around him and stopped focusing on Jesus. Fear is like the storm in this story, distracting us from the truth of God’s promises.

Faith is Not a One-Time Occurrence

Faith is not a one-time event that occurs when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Rather, it is a daily decision to trust and obey God. Just like a muscle, faith needs to be exercised and strengthened. We need to feed our faith with the word of God, prayer, worship, and the fellowship of other believers. Building a solid foundation of faith takes effort and time, but it is worth it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, faith is the key to overcoming fear and doubt. As Christians, it is important for us to constantly seek to grow in our faith and trust God in every situation. We cannot let our fears and doubts keep us from living the abundant life that God has planned for us. Instead, we must rely on our faith in Him and His promises to see us through.

Remember, we have already been given the gift of faith by God, and it is up to us to exercise it daily. Let us focus on God and His word, and trust that He will always be with us, even in the midst of our fears and doubts. When we put our faith into action, we can experience a life that is full of joy, peace, and hope, knowing that God is in control of our lives.

So, the next time you face fear and doubt, remember the words of Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hold on to your faith in God, and know that He will never let you down. Stay strong in your faith, and watch as God moves mountains in your life, for with Him, all things are possible.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.