Part 1 of the Series: Fear vs. Faith

The Daily Walk with Pastor Bill Zeltman

There are moments when fear and faith seem to stand on opposite sides of our hearts, each asking us to believe a different story about our future.

Fear asks, “What if?”

Faith responds, “God said.”

One of the clearest pictures of this battle is found in Mark 4:35–41.

Jesus told His disciples, “Let us cross over to the other side.” That statement was important because Jesus had already spoken concerning their destination.

They were going to the other side.

But somewhere between the promise and the destination, a storm arose.

The wind became violent. Waves crashed into the boat. Water began filling it. The disciples became terrified while Jesus slept.

Finally, they awakened Him and cried, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Fear had convinced them that the storm was more trustworthy than the Word Jesus had already spoken.

The Storm Was Real

Biblical faith does not require us to deny reality.

The storm was real.

The waves were real.

The water entering the boat was real.

Faith doesn’t pretend problems don’t exist. Faith simply refuses to make the problem greater than God.

There is an enormous difference between saying, “I don’t have a problem,” and saying, “My problem is not greater than my God.”

Hebrews 11:1 tells us:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Fear is dominated by what it sees.

Faith is anchored in what God has said.

Fear Writes Stories That Haven’t Happened

Fear loves the words “What if?”

What if something goes wrong?

What if I fail?

What if I lose everything?

What if my situation never changes?

Fear takes uncertainty and creates a future catastrophe. Then it makes us emotionally experience that imagined future as though it has already happened.

Jesus taught us differently.

Matthew 6:34 tells us not to worry about tomorrow.

God gives us grace for today.

And when tomorrow becomes today, His grace will be waiting there too.

God Has Not Given You Fear

Second Timothy 1:7 declares:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

You may experience fearful emotions, but fear does not have to become your master.

David said in Psalm 56:3:

“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.”

David acknowledged the emotion while simultaneously choosing faith.

That is powerful.

Faith is not necessarily never feeling fear. Faith is choosing whom you will trust when fear appears.

Jesus Is Still in Your Boat

Jesus arose and commanded the storm:

“Peace, be still!”

The wind stopped.

The sea became calm.

Then Jesus asked His disciples:

“Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

They had forgotten Who was in their boat.

Maybe today you feel as though you’re caught in a storm.

Remember this:

Jesus is still in your boat.

You may not understand the storm.

You may not know how the situation will change.

You may not know when the answer will come.

But God’s presence has not left you.

Don’t allow a storm in the middle of your journey to convince you that God’s promise concerning your destination has changed.

What Are You Magnifying?

Psalm 34:3 says:

“Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.”

Whatever we continually focus upon becomes larger in our perception.

If we constantly talk about the problem, meditate on the problem, replay the problem, and worry about the problem, eventually the storm dominates our vision.

Instead, Scripture tells us to magnify the Lord.

Remember His faithfulness.

Meditate on His Word.

Speak His promises.

Worship Him.

Praise Him.

Remind yourself what God has already brought you through.

The storm may not immediately become smaller, but God becomes greater in your vision.

And when you see God correctly, the storm begins losing its ability to control you.

DECLARATION

I declare that fear will not rule my life.

God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.

I refuse to magnify my storm above my Savior.

I will trust God’s Word above my circumstances.

When fear asks, “What if?” I will answer, “God said!”

Jesus is in my boat.

God is faithful.

His promises are true.

I am going to the other side.

Fear will not have the final word. Faith will!

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

PRAYER

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for everyone reading this today.

Break every agreement with fear. Silence every lie that contradicts Your Word. Where circumstances have overwhelmed us, turn our eyes back toward Jesus.

Holy Spirit, fill us afresh with power, courage, boldness, peace, and supernatural faith.

Teach us to magnify You instead of our circumstances. Remind us of Your faithfulness and bring Your promises alive within our hearts.

When storms arise, remind us that Jesus is still in the boat.

We choose faith.

We choose Your Word.

We choose to trust You.

And we declare that fear will not determine our future.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

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Stay Connected

Continue walking with us through The Daily Walk and Walking in the Word — Zeltman Ministries.

Visit ZeltmanMinistries.org for messages, prayer, ministry resources, and more.

And don’t miss Part 2 of Fear vs. Faith: “Starve Your Fear, Feed Your Faith.”

We are going to discover how Romans 10:17 gives us one of the greatest biblical keys to defeating fear:

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Until next time, keep walking in the Word, keep listening to the Holy Spirit, and keep choosing faith!

— Pastor Bill Zeltman

Walking in the Word — Zeltman Ministries