Is your faith being stretched? Choosing faith over fear when life gets difficult is hard. Find out what the Bible has to say about faith and be encouraged with verses, a prayer, and more.
The moment I heard the familiar notes of the song, Oceans, float through the speakers my heart began to worship.
I’d heard this beautiful song a million times before, and each and every time I heard it playing it resonated deep into my heart. How could I not worship?
“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.”
My Faith Being Tested Yet Again
My faith had been tested when I was in my early 20’s as I walked through the pain of divorce.
Having survived that dark road with the Lord’s help, I never would have dreamed that my faith would be tested again in such a deep way.
But as they say, be careful what you ask for because the Lord just might give it to you!
I again found myself walking down a difficult path and there was no doubt that the Holy Spirit truly had lead me where my trust was without borders.
I was scared and definitely questioned what the Lord was doing with my life.
And I even went as far as admitting to my dear friend that I wished I’d never been so sincere when I’d sung the words to that song. Thinking this way was silly to think that would have changed things and I knew it was the fear talking. (Surely you’ve been there too and I’m not alone!)
Deciding to Choose Faith Over Fear
“Your grace abounds in deepest waters. Your sovereign hand will be my guide.”
Even though my faith was being tested, I knew that I wasn’t alone. I knew that the Lord was guiding my life and that choosing faith over fear was my only option.
It didn’t feel like it, but I knew in my heart that the Lord had a plan for the situation I was walking through.
A friend shared II Corinthians 12:10 with me, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
I’m the type of girl that thinks I need to be strong all the time. This verse was the perfect reminder that the Lord wants to be my strength. I can let go because He has my life in His hands!
Choosing Faith Isn’t Easy
No one ever said that choosing faith over fear would be fun or even easy, but one thing I’ve learned through the journey of life is that we become better people on the other side of our faith being stretched.
You may feel like you’re sinking beneath the weight of life’s circumstances. I totally get it because I’ve been there too!
Can I encourage you to cry out to the Lord? (Not sure where to start? Check out the payer below.)
Tell Him what you’re thinking and feeling!
Share your fears and concerns with Him!
Yes, He already knows about the situation you’re walking through, but He wants to lead you through it.
He wants you to rely on Him.
He wants you to rest in His embrace. It won’t be easy, but I promise it’s the best thing you can do.
Won’t you let Psalm 91:4 comfort you, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.“
Choosing Faith Over Fear When Life Is Difficult
What Does The Bible Say About Fear?
Faith is trusting that God is going to do what He says He’ll do while fear is a feeling or emotion that can be real or imagined.
All throughout the Bible we are told “do not fear.”
I love how the Bible shares stories of real people that have big feelings just like you and I do.
When Joshua became leader over the Israelites after the death of Moses I have no doubt that he was afraid. Why else would the Lord tell him in Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Based on the fact that the Lord told Joshua 4 times in Joshua 1 to be strong and courageous I have to believe that he was very fearful.
I love that the Lord doesn’t just tell Joshua to be strong and courageous and leave it at that. He reminds Him that He’s going to be with wherever he goes.
And the same is true for us. He’s with us wherever we go.
When fear creeps into your life, have faith that the Lord is right there with you guiding and directing your life just as He was with Joshua.
What Does Faith Over Fear Mean?
Having dealt with anxiety I know firsthand that fear can be paralyzing.
To me, choosing faith over fear means doing your best to put your fear aside and trusting that the Lord will be to be faithful to do what He’s promised to do in your life.
Choosing faith is trusting what the Bible says is true and that the Lord has your best interest at heart even when it might not feel like it.
Faith Over Fear Bible Verses
Let these Bible verses comfort you when fear overtakes your heart and remind you to have faith and trust in Him.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Isaiah 43:1b-2
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Psalm 112:7
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Isaiah 41:13
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Pray This Prayer When Your Heart’s Desire Is Choosing Faith
Prayer doesn’t have to be hard. Let this simple prayer be a starting point for you as you begin to talk with the Lord.
Lord, I’m fearful about ___________ right now. Will you calm my heart and nerves and help me to turn my thoughts to you? Will you strengthen my faith, grow it bigger than my fear and help me to trust in you? Thank you for the promise from your Word that you will never leave me and I don’t have to walk this journey of life alone.
If prayer feels hard or you struggle knowing what to pray easily learn how to pray here.
Devotions To Help With Fear
Let these devotional books on fear and faith help you on your journey to finding freedom.
100 Days of Faith Over Fear by Lisa Stillwell
Less Fret, More Faith by Max Lucado
Breaking Free From Fear by Kay Arthur
An additional resource that I highly recommend is Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado. I had a lot of ah-ha moments as I was reading this excellent book.
If you find yourself in the valley with your faith being tested, let me encourage you with these final words from Oceans.
“So I will call upon Your name. Keep my eyes above the waves. When oceans rise my soul will rest in Your embrace. For I am Yours and You are mine.”
Never forget that you are His!
If this encouraged you to choose faith over fear, you might also like:
- If you find yourself constantly anxious learn how to calm down anxiety and find freedom from fear.
- Still need more encouragement as you choose faith over fear, find out what it means Biblically.
- Want to pray but the words won’t come? Try this when you don’t know what to pray.
- Get in in the Bible in just 10 minutes a day with these devotions for women.
- Life throws us tons of curveballs, does God really care about me?
Oh I love this song so much! Thank you for the Bible verses, which will now deepen the worship whenever I hear it.
You’re welcome, Susan! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
I am very careful what words I sing or pray because I have realized that with growth comes pain. This is something I struggle with.
It’s a catch twenty-two isn’t it? I want to grow my faith but I don’t want to go through the pain.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
Thank you for sharing this. It’s just what I needed. I’ve had anxiety this past week and lots of fears of what the future holds. Thank you for the reminder God has everything under control and I can rest in Him.
I’m sorry to hear about your anxiety, Kathy. So thankful the Lord spoke deep into your heart with these words!