Breaking Free From Fear With Faith

As disciples, it is exciting to gain more understanding of God's purpose for our lives.  I think that one of the greatest challenges for me has been the realization that a purposeful walk that honors God must include God-ordained shifts.  I'm talking about change.  When we think we know what we are doing, where we are going, and how to do it, God calls us to move out of our comfort zone.  Often, this shift can cause us to be fearful.  We become afraid of what we don't know and what we see. If we are not careful, fear can put us in a self-imposed prison of doubt and inactivity. We must understand that the pathway of purpose that God has placed us on must be walked by faith.

II Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

In the bible, Paul writes encouraging letters to Timothy while he himself was in prison. In II Timothy, Paul encourages him as he carries on the ministry that was given to him by God.  Timothy is encouraged to remember what he was taught about God from a young age by his mother and grandmother.  Paul tells him to fan the flames of the fire that God has placed in him. It seems that Paul understands that operating in the gift, even though it is God-given, can cause one to become fearful. He tells Timothy that the fear that stops us from doing what God has called us to do does not come from God.  The spirit of God dwelling within us gives us strength, ability, love that commits to the well-being of others, and a self-disciplined mind.

Let’s explore this principle with Pamela, the teacher. For 30 years, she dedicated her life to education, finding fulfillment in her profession while anticipating the day she could retire and devote more time to ministry. With a clear plan to step into retirement after three decades, she now faces an unexpected challenge—fear. Her life, though not as she once envisioned, is actually better than she imagined. Yet, uncertainty about provision in this next season has created anxiety as she struggles to see how her needs will be met while maintaining certain aspects of her current lifestyle.

We need to understand that there are two types of fear. There is a healthy fear that keeps us from doing things that are unsafe, like the fear of walking across an expressway. We know that we can’t outrun a vehicle traveling 65-70 mph. That fear in our inability is wisdom. This healthy fear is also manifested in our reverence or respect for God. The understanding that God has all power and we submit ourselves to His power by obeying Him. The other type of fear, as Paul noted, does not come from God. It is the fear that drives us away from God. It stops us from taking action that God has called us to because we can’t see how we will be able to accomplish it. We will experience fear; the key is our response. We need to make sure that our response to fear is one that honors God. 

Fear is an emotion. In his inaugural speech, Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “The only thing to fear is fear itself.” He spoke these words to a nation that was experiencing The Great Depression. Even the wealthiest people in the nation were struggling with not having enough food and resources for living. Many lost everything they had. Anyone experiencing this type of loss would tell you that there is an issue with not having enough. The quote suggests that being in a depression was not the greatest threat. It suggests that inaction due to the fear of the threat is the true danger. We can get so distracted by fear of our situation or, in some cases, fear about potential future threats to our situation that we don’t keep moving forward. 

God has always understood what fear could do to us. He often used the words “Fear not” when he spoke to the children of Israel. He gave them instruction and direction and knew that fear of what they would face could cause them to stop moving toward their purpose. Today, we face the same fear. When fear causes us to stop moving toward what God has called us to, know that fear is lying to us. The lies of fear tell us that we are to accomplish our God-given purpose with our own strength and resources, so when we don’t see what we need in ourselves, we stop. In order to break free from the bondage of fear, we must know the voice of God. This is why Paul tells Timothy that God has not given us the spirit of fear.  We must ask ourselves, “What is God saying about this?”  

We must know that we will walk our pathway of purpose by faith. We are not made right with God by the good works that we do. We are made right in the sight of God by walking by faith in him. We must hear the voice of God and then obey him no matter what. We overcome the fear of what we cannot see by understanding that God is in control of our lives. He knows what we need and has made provisions for us that we cannot see. We trust this about our God so we can keep moving forward and not be blocked by fear. This is why God left many examples in the bible of people who walked by faith. The 11th chapter of Hebrews contains a list of many people who broke free from the bondage of fear and had the faith necessary to take God-pleasing action.  

The promise of walking by faith is that God will be pleased, and there is no safer place than being in the will of God. The promise of fear is bondage. We will never know the freedom of putting all of our trust in God if we allow fear to control us. Breaking away from fear begins with understanding what God says about us. Fear that stops us from accomplishing God’s purpose for our lives is rooted in lies about our identity in Christ.  When we know who God says we are, we can combat fearful thoughts that are rooted in the uncertain with God's absolute Word. Look at the examples below:

 

As I looked at each of the “identity lies” in the chart, I asked myself, “How much time have I spent trying to change the lie?”  If I am focused on feeling like I am not good enough, I spend my time trying to become good enough.  While that sounds logical, it’s not what God says. Once I understand that I am loved and created with purpose, my confidence is boosted, and my time is spent seeking purpose.  The key to this is my confidence is in God’s love and his purpose for me. Now, it no longer matters if I feel good enough because my confidence is in God being more than enough. The debate has never been about God being good enough. Let’s free ourselves right now.  Say it with me,” I am not enough by myself.”  Here’s the good news.  “I am chosen by God to be enough for what he created me for.”  In other words, once I have completely surrendered my life to God, I can walk in the identity he has created for me. This is the key to breaking the bondage of fear. I may not have the answer right now, but God does. I am letting go of these lies and embracing God’s truth about who He says I am. When fear brings these thoughts to your mind, combat them with these scriptures. 

We must allow God’s truth to saturate our minds and our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts above everything because it determines the course of our lives. When we allow negative thoughts, toxicity, and lies to feed our hearts, we become captive to the fear that accompanies these thoughts.  We have to be careful about how we entertain ourselves and the conversations we immerse ourselves in. A steady diet of negativity, gossip, and toxic interactions provides us with a junk food diet that will eventually clog the spiritual veins that allow God’s truth to feed our hearts. 

As you move forward on your journey of breaking the bondage of fear in your life.  I would like to share actionable steps that can be taken to increase our faith and strengthen our walk with God. These steps can help transform fear into faith, leading to greater trust in God’s provision and purpose in the next season of life.

1. Reflect on God's Faithfulness in the Past

Action: Take time each day to journal or meditate on moments when God has provided, guided, and been faithful in the past. Recalling these experiences can build confidence that He will continue to provide in the future.
Scripture: Psalm 77:11-12 – "I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds."

2. Pray for Strength and Clarity

Action: Commit to a consistent prayer routine, asking God for strength, clarity, and peace about the future. Trust that He will reveal His plan for the next season and provide the wisdom needed to navigate the unknown.
Scripture: James 1:5 – "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

3. Take Small Faith-Steps Toward the Future

Action: Break down any overwhelming tasks or fears into small, manageable steps. Trust God with each step, knowing He will guide you along the way. This action reinforces your trust in His provision.
Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 – "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Prayer

Lord, I thank you for creating me for your purpose and equipping me with everything that I need to accomplish it. Please help me to learn how to walk by faith and not be hindered by doubt and fear. 

Lord, fear has no authority over my life when I live it totally submitted to you. I trust you to guide my footsteps. I live so you may be glorified. Amen

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