Fearful to Fearless
From Fearful to Fearless: Overcoming Fear Through Faith
Fear has a way of freezing us in the moment, keeping us from stepping into what could be. Whether it's fear of failure, rejection, or inadequacy, we all face moments where fear holds us back from God's calling. But what if faith doesn't mean fear disappears? What if it means becoming more aware of God than we are of our fears?
Why Do We Experience Fear in Our Christian Walk?
In the book of Judges, we meet Gideon - a man hiding in a winepress, threshing wheat to keep it from enemies. He wasn't seeking God; he was hiding from his problems. Yet God appeared to him and called him a "mighty man of valor" when there was zero evidence that Gideon was anything close to valiant.
This story reveals three important truths about fear and faith:
How Does Fear Find Us When We Forget God?
The Israelites had forgotten God's covenant and promises. As a result, the Midianites ravaged their land year after year, stealing crops and crushing hopes. They lived in fear because they had forgotten God.
Fear creeps in when we rely on our own strength and forget God's presence. We end up hiding, exhausted, and afraid. There are two types of pride that feed our fear:
The pride that says, "I've got it together"
The pride that says, "I can't do that because I'm not gifted enough."
Both types of pride make it about us rather than God. When God calls us, He calls us to God-sized things that should overwhelm us. That's the point! Fear grows when we forget His promises and lose sight of our dependence on Him.
"Faith isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the presence of God."
2. How Does Faith Find Us When We Turn to God?
When the Israelites finally cried out to God after seven years of oppression, God immediately responded. He didn't say, "I wish you had cried out years ago" or "I'm fed up with your shenanigans." The moment they cried out, God sent help.
God appeared to Gideon and called him a "mighty man of valor" - not because of who Gideon was at that moment, but because of who he would become with God's help. This reveals something profound about how God works:
"God calls things now as though they will be, as though they already are."
God was calling out the man Gideon would be with His presence, not who he was without Him. Faith doesn't start with a display of courage or mustering up strength. It starts with a dependent cry: "God, help me!"
This is the heart of the gospel - not just when we first come to Christ, but throughout our Christian life. Our relationship with God isn't based on our merit but on what Christ has done for us.
3. How Does Freedom Find Us When We Follow God?
When God told Gideon to save Israel, Gideon responded with excuses: "My clan is the weakest, and I am the least in my father's house." God's answer was simple yet profound:
"I will be with you."
We make the same excuses: "I'm not smart enough," "I'm not talented enough," "I've done too much wrong." God's answer is always the same: "I'll be with you."
It's not about:
Your gifting, but His greatness.
Your skill, but His Spirit.
Your strength, but His sufficiency.
Your personality, but His presence.
Later in the story, God reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to just 300 men. Why? Because God wanted to make sure Gideon understood it wasn't about him. God's glory shines brightest against a backdrop of darkness.
Maybe God is calling you because of your shortcomings, not in spite of them. He wants people to see what He can accomplish through an imperfect person and give glory to Him.
"God's not looking at your resume. He's just waiting for your response."
Life Application
If you're facing fear in your life right now, here are three practical steps to move from fearful to fearless:
Remember God's promise - Find a verse that speaks to your situation and put it everywhere. On your mirror, in your car, by your coffee pot - anywhere you'll see it throughout the day.
Cry out loud - Spend at least five minutes daily naming your fears to God. Tell Him exactly what scares you. Let surrender be your starting point.
Take one obedient step - Just one. Jesus modeled this in Gethsemane when He prayed, "Not my will, but yours." His obedience led to our freedom.
Questions to Consider:
Where in your life have you forgotten God's presence or excluded Him?
What's stopping you from crying out to God about your fears?
What one step of obedience is God asking you to take today?
Remember: God who stands behind you is bigger than whatever stands in front of you. You weren't called because you were ready; you are ready because you were called. Rise up, mighty one of valor. God is with you.
