6. I. Introduction
Even in troubling times, followers of
Jesus Christ can choose to walk in
faith rather than in fear.
Our relationship with the Lord gives
us the ability to face hardship with
confidence in His provision and care.
As God’s children, we can rest in the
Father’s promise that He will supply
all we need.
7. II. Fear does not fit who
we are as children of God
Isaiah 41:10
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not
anxiously look about you, for I am your
God. I will strengthen you, surely I will
help you, surely I will uphold you with
my righteous right hand”
8. A fearful spirit is not from God
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love, and of a sound
mind”
If anxiety prevents you from
resting at night or hinders your
obedience, you are not
demonstrating trust in the Lord.
Genuine faith and overwhelming
fear are incompatible.
9. III. Fear affects a person
in many different ways
Causes confusion.
A fearful person will have a difficult time
thinking clearly.
Contributes to indecision.
When someone is afraid of making a
mistake, he or she often delays making
any choice at all.
10. Hinders us from accomplishing
God’s will.
An apprehensive person misses
opportunities because he or she expects
failure.
Damages self-confidence.
Frightened people can seem insecure
and incompetent because they doubt
their ability to succeed.
12. IV. God does not want us
to walk in fear.
Jesus reassured His followers
that they didn’t have to worry
about food, drink, and clothing
Matthew 6:31-33
13.
Matthew 6:31-33
31
32
33
Therefore take no thought, saying,
What shall we eat? or, What shall we
drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be
clothed?
(For after all these things do the
Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly
Father knoweth that ye have need
of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you”
14.
Fearing God does not mean
cowering in terror.
Instead, it means that we are to
revere the Lord and stand in awe
of Him.
Only those who have not received
Christ or walk in deliberate
rebellion against Him have a
legitimate reason to be afraid
of God.
15. V. What is the Pathway of
Faith?
1.
Focus on the Lord, not the
source of your fears.
Instead of dwelling on your problems,
choose to think about God’s absolute
sovereignty over everything
Psalms 103:19
The Lord hath prepared his throne in the
heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
16. If you and I are living godly lives, the
Lord will turn everything for our
ultimate good
Rom. 8:28
And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose
Disappointments may come, but they
don’t have to discourage us.
17. 2.
Face moments of doubt and
fear by asking the following
questions.
Where did these doubts originate?
Because God says He did not give us a
spirit of fear, we know they cannot be
from Him.
Has God ever failed me in the past?
You may be facing a difficult
situation, but remind yourself of
those times when the Lord
provided for you.
18. Doesn’t Scripture say that the
Father will meet all my needs?
The Lord promises to provide for His
people
Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your
need according to his riches in glory
by Christ Jesus
19. Why should I ever imagine I’m on my
own when trying to do what God
requires?
You and I can have the
power, provision, and guidance of the
Holy Spirit, just as the New Testament
saints did
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy
Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in
all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost part of the earth.
20. Didn’t He promise to be with me at
all times?
If you have trusted Jesus as your
personal Savior, you will never be
alone again. Christ promised He would
neither leave nor forsake you
Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without
covetousness; and be content with such
things as ye have: for he hath said, I will
never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
21. Is anything too hard for God?
No. Boldly express your confidence and
trust in the Lord.
Is this a fork in the road where my
unbelief could cost me a lifetime of
regret?
When you face major decisions, be
especially careful to act in faith rather
than fear.
22. 3.
Feed on God’s Word
Believers are constantly bombarded
with worldly lies that distort their
perspective and contribute to anxiety.
That’s why we must constantly renew
our minds with the Word of God
Ps. 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light
unto my path.
23. As Scripture reminds us, we have a
relationship with the Lord that can
cancel all our fears
Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not
dismayed; for I am thy God: I will
strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right
hand of my righteousness
24. We’ve also been given the promise that
the Holy Spirit will be our Helper
John 14:16-17
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you
another Comforter, that he may abide with you for
ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot
receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him:
but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall
be in you
God loves you; allow the Bible to guide
and comfort you in times of uncertainty.
25. 3.
Forge ahead, no matter what
people say
Sometimes others will try to
discourage you from stepping out in
faith, so be careful to reject ungodly
advice.
And don’t allow adversity to dampen
your enthusiasm for pursuing God.
Follow the example of the apostle
Paul, who, despite difficulties
26. • 2 Corinthians 11:24-25
24 Of the Jews five times
received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with
rods,
once was I stoned, thrice I
suffered shipwreck, a night and
a day I have been in the deep
• never stopped serving the Lord
27. 5.
Faithfully and courageously
choose to obey God
A believer who is committed to
following Jesus has nothing to fear.
Obeying the Lord brings blessing, and
He promises to use adversity for our
good.
28. Conclusion
When you and I focus on our
circumstances, we can find many
reasons to feel afraid.
But that is not God’s will for His
people.
Psalm 103:19
“The LORD has established His throne
in the heavens, and His sovereignty
rules over all.”
29. As believers, you and I have the
assurance that God is always with
us.
We need not fear, because He
strengthens and helps us in every
situation.