FEAR AND FAITH: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?

 FEAR AND FAITH: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?

Mark 4:40 (NKJV)

“But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’”

Mark 5:36 (NKJV)

“As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe.’”

Psalm 27:1 (NKJV)

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?”

Fear and faith are two different responses to what we encounter in life. In a spiritual context, faith is often presented as the opposite of fear because faith places its trust in God, while fear focuses on uncertainty, danger, and circumstances.

Fear looks at what is seen, but faith looks at what is unseen.

When you are controlled by fear, your attention is often drawn to the visible facts: the size of the problem, the opposition, the circumstances, the limitations, and the things that appear impossible.

But when you operate in faith, your attention shifts from what you can see to what God has said. Faith does not deny the existence of the problem; rather, it recognizes that the power and promises of God are greater than the problem.

FAITH LOOKS BEYOND THE VISIBLE

Hebrews 11:1 (NLT) says:

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

Faith gives the believer confidence concerning realities that cannot yet be perceived with the physical senses. It enables us to trust God's Word even when our circumstances appear to contradict His promises.

Fear says, “Look at what is happening.”

Faith says, “Look at what God has said.”

Fear magnifies the problem.

Faith magnifies God.

Fear asks, “What if everything goes wrong?”

Faith asks, “What has God promised?”

KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS

Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) says:

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

The secret to overcoming fear is not simply trying harder to be courageous; it is learning to keep our eyes on Jesus. When our attention is fixed on Him, our circumstances no longer have the final authority over our hearts.

Peter experienced this when he walked on water toward Jesus. As long as his eyes remained on Jesus, he walked by faith. But when he shifted his attention to the wind and the waves, fear took over and he began to sink (Matthew 14:28–31).

Therefore, what you focus on influences how you respond.

If you continually focus on the problem, fear can become stronger. If you continually focus on Christ, your confidence in Him can become stronger.

The believer is called to live by faith and not merely by what is visible.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

CONCLUSION

Fear may tell you to run from the storm, but faith tells you to trust the One who is with you in the storm.

Fear looks at the circumstances and says, “It is impossible.”

Faith looks at God and says, “With God, all things are possible.”

Fear focuses on what is seen.

Faith focuses on what is unseen.

Fear magnifies the situation.

Faith magnifies the God who is greater than the situation.

Therefore, do not allow what you see to determine what you believe. Allow what God has said to determine what you believe.

Keep your eyes on Jesus. Trust His Word. Stand in faith. And when fear comes, remember the words of Jesus:

“Do not be afraid; only believe.” — Mark 5:36