Why Fear? Part 1: Choosing Faith Over Fear!
Part 1: Understanding God’s Plan vs. the Enemy’s Strategy
Welcome to our new blog series "WHY FEAR? Choosing Faith Over Fear." In this powerful five-part journey, we'll explore how fear impacts our lives, examine the enemy's tactics, and discover God's resources that empower us to choose faith instead of fear.
Confronting the Fear Factor
Fear. We all experience it, yet few understand its true nature or impact. Fear can paralyze dreams, destroy relationships, and keep us from fulfilling our God-given purpose. But what if fear isn't just an emotion? What if it's actually a strategic weapon designed to derail your destiny?
In this blog series, my purpose is twofold:
To provide insight on fear, specifically as it relates to the intent of fear and the negative impact it can have on your lives
To inspire you to ask yourself one simple question when you find yourself on the verge of choosing fear over faith — and that question is WHY FEAR?
God's Assignment for Your Family
One of the foundational truths I want to establish right from the beginning is that "God has an assignment for your life." This isn't just a nice sentiment—it's a biblical promise found in Jeremiah 29:11, which tells us that God's plan is to prosper us (not harm us) and bring us to the expected end of destiny fulfillment.
But here's what we need to understand: If God has a plan and assignment for you and your family, the enemy (Satan) also has a plan. And his plan is completely contrary to God's plan:
God's plan is to prosper you; the enemy's plan is to impoverish you.
God's plan is to give you hope; the enemy wants to fill you with despair.
God's plan leads to destiny fulfillment; the enemy's plan leads to destiny derailment.
This spiritual reality isn't something to be feared but something to be aware of and prepared for. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to spiritual warfare and maintaining alignment with God’s plan for your life.
The Two Key Ingredients for a Successful Plan
For any plan to be successful—whether it's God's plan for your life or even just your plan for the week—you need two important ingredients:
Adequate resources — time, knowledge, and provision
Internal fortitude — the dedication, desire, and diligence to follow through
Here's the beautiful truth: if God is the one who has the plan, then it's God's responsibility to provide the resources! This means it isn't a matter of striving in your strength but tapping into what God has already provided.
God's Provision for Your Success
The apostle Peter explains this clearly in 2 Peter 1:2-3 (AMP):
Grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be multiplied to you in the [true, intimate] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
Let's break this scripture down:
"Grace and peace be multiplied to you" Notice Peter doesn't just wish for grace and peace to be given, but to be multiplied. This isn't about a one-time gift but an exponential increase. The more we know God, the more His grace and peace are multiplied in our lives.
"In the true, intimate knowledge of God" This isn't head knowledge. The Greek word used here is "epignosis," which refers to a precise, intimate, and experiential knowledge. It's not just knowing about God, but knowing Him personally through developing an intimate relationship.
"His divine power has bestowed on us absolutely everything necessary." The word "bestowed" indicates a completed action. This isn't something we're waiting for—it's already done! God hasn't held anything back. There's no "spiritual resource shortage" in God's economy.
"For a dynamic spiritual life and godliness" - The provision isn't just for survival, but a vibrant, powerful, and effective life. The word "dynamic" here suggests movement, energy, and productivity.
"Through true and personal knowledge of Him" - Again, the emphasis on relationship. These resources are accessed through knowing Him personally. As our knowledge of Christ grows, we gain greater access to what He's already provided.
"Who called us by His own glory and excellence" - Our calling isn't based on our abilities but on His glory and excellence. He called us because of who He is, not because of who we are.
Did you catch that? God has already given us EVERYTHING we need to accomplish our personal and providential assignments. We already have everything necessary to live in a way that brings glory and honor to His name and draws others to Him.
This means that when we face circumstances that tempt us to fear, we do not lack any resources to overcome them. The provision was made before the problem ever appeared. We don't need to beg God for what He's already given—we need to believe and access what's already ours through Christ.
5 Key Resources God Has Provided
Let's look at five specific resources God has already given you to accomplish your personal and providential assignments:
1. Power over the enemy / delegated authority
Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
This isn't just symbolic language. Jesus was literally giving His followers authority over demonic powers. That same authority belongs to believers today. The enemy may have influence, but he has no real authority in your life unless you give it to him by submitting to a power under your authority.
2. Peace that surpasses all situations
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
The peace Jesus gives isn't dependent on circumstances. It's a supernatural peace that can remain steady amid life's storms. This isn't the temporary peace the world offers that disappears at the first sign of trouble.
3. Promise of constant companionship and supernatural assistance
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT) "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave or forsake you."
You are never alone in your struggles. The God who created the universe is with you, committed to never abandoning you, no matter what you face. This means God is always with you, exercising His power on your behalf to bring His will to pass in your life.
4. Promise of answered prayer
John 14:13-14 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."
Prayer isn't just a religious exercise—it's a direct line to divine intervention. When we pray according to God's will and in Jesus' name, we activate heaven's resources to fulfill our prayer request.
5. Measure of Faith
Romans 12:3 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
Every believer has been given a measure of faith. Faith isn't something you have to generate on your own; it's a gift from God that you can exercise, develop, and increase.
Faith: The Critical Resource
Now, out of all these five resources, which one would you say is the most important? Hold that thought.
If the first ingredient to a successful plan is adequate resources, we can clearly see that God has that covered. But what about the second ingredient—the willpower or diligence to stick to the plan? That's our part.
Which of these five resources will be most important in helping you stick to the plan?
Faith.
Faith is what enables us to tap into all the other resources. Without faith, we won't exercise our authority over the enemy. Without faith, we won't experience God's peace. Without faith, we won't sense God's presence or expect answers to our prayers.
So, if faith is the most important resource God gives us to fulfill His plan for our family and personal assignment, what do you think will be the enemy's primary area of attack?
You guessed it—FAITH.
And what is the key element that can impede or paralyze our faith? FEAR.
Understanding the Battleground
This is why understanding fear is so crucial. Fear isn't just an unpleasant emotion; I believe it's a strategic weapon the enemy uses to derail God's plans for your life and family.
Your Assignment for This Week
As we conclude this first part of our journey, I want to challenge you to begin a new practice. Whenever you feel fear rising up within you, pause and ask yourself this question: "WHY FEAR?"
Not in a condemning way, but as a genuine inquiry:
Why am I choosing fear in this moment when God has given me everything I need to walk in faith?
Why am I giving more weight to this situation than God's power and promises?
Why should I fear when God has already equipped me with everything I need for victory?
Take a moment each day this week to write down one area where fear has been influencing your decisions. Next to it, write down which of God's resources (power, peace, presence, prayer, or faith) you need to activate in that situation.
Remember, God hasn't given you a spirit of fear. He's given you power, love, and a sound mind. And He's already provided everything you need to fulfill the assignment He's placed on your life.
In Part 2 of this series, we'll explore "The Anatomy of Fear and Its Impact" on your life and destiny. We'll break down exactly what fear is, how it operates, and the enemy's specific strategy to replace your faith with fear.
Until then, keep asking yourself: WHY FEAR?