Faith Over Fear

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1, NIV

Faith is the belief that God will fulfill His promises even when they seem impossible. We place our faith in God for many things including healing, provision, protection, and deliverance. God is faithful. He provides us with the breakthrough we need which often results in a boost to our faith.

But what does our faith look like from the moment we first believe until God answers our prayers? I can attest that there are seasons where I stand confidently in God’s ability. I believe wholeheartedly that God will make a way for me. There are also seasons where my faith wavers or is nonexistent. Fear creeps into my heart when God doesn’t answer my prayers in my timing or when I face unexpected hardships along the way.

Needless to say, placing our faith in God is not always easy. In our journey towards breakthrough, we intentionally have to choose faith over fear.

Choosing fear causes us to rely on our own strength or that of other people and things. We end up making hasty and unwise decisions that knock us off God’s course and further complicate life. When we choose faith, we rely on God to guide our every step. And because God has our best interests at heart, we know that He’s leading us into righteousness.

In Overcoming Fear, we learned that reading and applying the Word of God helps us deny the temptation to embrace fear. Today I’m sharing an arsenal of 12 scriptures that will encourage you to choose faith over fear while you wait on God’s promises to be fulfilled. 

12 Scriptures to Overcome Fear

John 14:27, KJV

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Zechariah 4:6, TLB

Then he said, “This is God’s message to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty—you will succeed because of my Spirit, though you are few and weak.’” 

Romans 8:28, NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Psalm 3:5-6, NKJV

“I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.”

Hebrews 12:1-3, MSG

“Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—He could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility He plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!”

Numbers 14:6-9, NIV

“Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, ‘The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.’”

2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Matthew 6:28-34, CEV

“Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of them. God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith? Don’t worry and ask yourselves, ‘Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?’ Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.”

2 Chronicles 15:7, NIV

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

Luke 21:12-19, TLB

But before all this occurs, there will be a time of special persecution, and you will be dragged into synagogues and prisons and before kings and governors for my name’s sake. But as a result, the Messiah will be widely known and honored. Therefore, don’t be concerned about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such logic that none of your opponents will be able to reply! Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends will betray you and have you arrested; and some of you will be killed. And everyone will hate you because you are mine and are called by my name. But not a hair of your head will perish! For if you stand firm, you will win your souls.

Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Write these scriptures down in a prayer journal or place them on sticky notes around your home. Whenever you feel fearful, recite them out loud. Overcome fear with faith!

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