Sunday, September 7, 2014

Kicking Fear to the Curb (Week 3)




Week 3: Replacing Fear with Faith


Hi Ladies! It’s Missy here. I’m so glad you are here.

Overcoming our fears is no easy task. This week let’s keep moving forward by focusing on replacing our fear with faith.

 There are many Hebrew words for fear. When studying them, I found that I identified with one in particular, more than the others. Arat means to tremble with a sense of terror.  It is often used to reference a fear of man. I’ll speak for myself here, friends, it’s awfully easy to allow that kind of fear to take me to the deepest darkest places where it likes to hide, and pretend that God can’t reach it there.  

 Here’s the thing I’m learning though – God will keep shining the light of His truth into those places. As we continue to learn to trust Him, He will continue to banish our fears circumstanceby circumstance.

 All we need to do is bring them to Him!

 Do you know what fills me with fear? The thought that someone might view some task I’ve accomplished as lacking. That I might be seen as inadequate. This fear often keeps me from trying in the first place. Can you relate?

Throughout this study, God's making it abundantly clear I am to continually bring my fear to His feet. Psalm 55:22 encourages us to: “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (NIV) Don’t you just love that?  Even when we are tempted to shake in our boots He is mighty to sustain us. This promise goes a long way to banishing my fear!

Each time I bring a fear to His feet, in obedience, He lovingly tells me, "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.", (Isaiah 41:13, NIV). Did you catch that?  He will help us!  We do not have to replace these fears with faith in our own might.  God will help you and me when we are afraid!

And, I find that each time I lay my fears at God’s feet, or write verses on my bathroom mirror or on an index card, my fear is replaced with a greater faith!

 Are you feeling encouraged? I hope so!  Let’s dig deeper into God’s Word and get to work trading our fears for deeper faith in the One who conquers each and every one of them. And He holds our hand while doing it!


Free Tools: (clickable links)

Assignment #1:

According to Webster’s Dictionary, fear means: “to…expect with alarm.” I think this definition encapsulates it so much better: False Evidence Appearing Real, especially since statistics prove that the vast majority of what we fear never becomes reality. False evidence, indeed!  
Today, identify a fear that plagues your heart, then:
  1. Use the free tools provided to do a search to see what verses in the Bible deal with your fear.
  2. At the top of a page in your journal, or on an index card, write the name of your fear.Inadequacy would be mine. Underneath it write out three of the verses you found during your search. (Feel free to write each verse from different Bible translations.)
  3. Then, write a prayer and picture yourself laying this fear at the feet of God.  Use the Bible verses that you found to help you pray God’s Word to Him.  There is such power in praying God’s Word! Here is an example: Lord, You promise me that You will not leave me or forsake me.  Thank You, God! Thank You for holding my hand and sustaining meas I attempt to complete this task for which I feel completely inadequate.  I lay the fear of being inadequate at Your feet, Lord. Please take my efforts and make them shine for Yourglory.  In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

Assignment #2:

When I keep my eyes focused on Christ, I am able walk in victory above my fears.  When I don’t, like Peter, I begin to sink, doing what He’s asked me to do.
Read Matthew 14:22-33.
  1. In your own words describe what happened in verse 30?  Has this ever happened to you?  How were you able to refocus?
  2. Read 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 8:4, and Matthew 10:30-31.  What do these verses reveal to you about God?
  3. How can you use what you’ve learned today to help you replace your fear with greater faith?

Assignment #3:

When my feelings of inadequacy threaten my confidence I must run to God’s Word. There I am reminded of the truth found in verses such as Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (NKJV)
  1. What keeps you from running to God in faith? Read Luke 17:5 and Mark 9:24.  How can these two verses help you overcome your fear?
  2. At what point do you falter in replacing fear with faith? Practice mentally giving God all of your fears and allowing Him to strengthen and increase your faith.

Blog Hop Topics


  1. On Monday, Missy gave us a great assignment to work through. Take one of the verses from step 2 and verse map it. Share your photo and the what you learned from your verse mapping.
  2. As our study comes to a close, reflect on what you have learned from this study. How will you take what you have learned and apply it?
  3. At times our fear overruns our faith. What Scripture verses did you discover during our time together that can help you make a u-turn and run to God?
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