Converting Fear into Faith in God

Think of a time you were afraid. Now, was that fear truly warranted or was it simply a response to a feeling of uncertainty? 

Fear is a primal, biological, and often unpleasant emotion that is triggered by the belief that something dangerous or threatening will occur. Something that may cause pain or discomfort. Pain is the most basic of human emotions, and fear taps into that emotion.  

As humans, we are equipped with the survival instincts necessary to respond with fear when we sense

danger or feel unsafe. But fear isn’t just instinctual; it is also part learned and part taught.  When we are born, we may have that instinctual fear but over time we learn fear or are taught to be afraid of certain things. And with our world is so focused on the negative everywhere: shootings, suicides, poverty, government, robberies, and on and on how can we not develop fears?

Sometimes our fears can be paralyzing. As a child we may have held on tight to a stuffed animal as we sat scared in the dark.  But now as we are older, that same darkness or fear of the unknown or loneliness may cause us unmeasurable anxiety.     

When we are confronted with fear we are presented with two options: 1) forget everything and run and hide or 2) face everything and rise up. 

The choice is ours. 

So, what do we do? 

Well, generally speaking, most fears are based on feelings and not facts. The author Mark Twain once wrote, “I’ve been through some horrible things in my life – a few of which actually happened!” That is so true.  We often are afraid or fearful of something that never happens or even exists. We sometimes get scared because of what we imagine could happen. But if we embrace our fear as instructions, we can let it inform and not control our actions.  

Much like fear we are born with instinctual love and trust. As babies, we are helpless and need someone to take care of us completely.  As we grow, we also learn and are taught love and trust. But perhaps certain fearful learnings entwine themselves in these lessons of love and trust, which can complicate things.  So, who better to turn to for these lessons of love and trust than God?  When you know you have God on your side, you have the confidence to rise up and face your fears.

How Faith in God Transforms Fear: Scripture's Answer to Our Deepest Anxieties

Time and time again God reminds us that He is our protector and we should not fear anything.  

From Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?”

From Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

From John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

God even went so far to show us His love that He sent His only son, Jesus to conquer death. How can we not love and trust that God is our protector?  

One of my favorite Bible verses and perhaps one of the most powerful moments of Jesus’ life, came when Jesus calmed the storm with only his voice. I can just picture the violent wind, the loud boom of thunder, the water slapping the side of the boat and the apostles being so afraid that the boat would sink because it was filling with water. Meanwhile Jesus was calmly sleeping in the back of the boat.  The apostles ran to Jesus and cried “Lord save us, we’re perishing”. And what was Jesus’ response?  “Why are you afraid?” Their fear caused them to forget who was in the boat with them. Jesus then rebukes the wind and the waves and everything became calm. The apostles’ fear was converted to faith.  

This still happens to us today. We look at the giant waves surrounding us in our lives and forget that Jesus is beside us. Fear may be loud. Circumstances may feel overwhelming. You may not know how everything will work out. But God is always there. No storm in your life is ever greater than what He can handle. The same God who calmed the storms in scripture still speaks peace into our fearful hearts today. If we trust in Him, God will take our fear and covert it into faith.  

One final story. A young girl was on an airplane. Suddenly, the plane was hit with turbulence.  As the turbulence tossed the airplane, everybody was scared.  Everyone except this young girl.  She was extremely calm, not even a hint of fear or concern. Finally, the turbulence subsided.  A passenger sitting next to the girl asked how she could be so calm. She responded, “Because my daddy is the pilot and he’s taking me home.”

God is the pilot of our life.  He is the one that calms the storms. If we could live each day with an insurance that we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us and who empowers us, what should we ever fear? 

“Therefore, don’t worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself each day has enough trouble for its own” Matthew 6:34