Overcoming Hesitation: Empowering Faith Through Scripture

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7.

This verse from scripture is easily quoted by every believer when we have worries and doubts. Even the most brilliant minds and the most studied minister have moments where questions arise that give way to anxiety, if fed long enough. So, what does one do whenever fear makes its presence known?

What if I told you that on the other side of fear is assurance. Our body has a way of safeguarding us. Enter fear (fight or flight). Fear tells us in order to stay safe don't cross this threshold. This is a good thing when in the correct place. Since God created all things, when put in its correct place, fear itself isn't a bad thing. It becomes no good when it evolves from protection to debilitating or it turns into anxiety.

There are assignments that the Lord will place on your heart. Brand new territory that you have never experienced before and unhealthy fear will prevent you from walking into something great that's specifically designed for you and your growth.

Faith Over Fear: Trusting in God's Promises

However, if we lose focus of what God is doing and focus on anything else, we will find ourselves beginning to sink or operating from of our will versus operating out of God's will. The bible shows time and time again where fear entered the conversation, uninvited, and He had to send reminders of His will, His word, His grace, etc.

• The children of Israel and the land of milk and honey... Caleb and Joshua

• Saul and Goliath... David

• Elijah and Jezebel... A still small voice

• Peter and the Sea of Galilee... Jesus

When faith steps on the scene, it always has a way of quieting the voices that feed fear and causes fear to appear bigger than the situation. Faith will always remind you of what God has created you to be. Since you're reading this, know that trusting in God's promises will position you to stand before kings, giants, and storms. Just know that what God has placed on the inside of you is bigger than all of that.

Allow faith to be the fuel to drive you forward. It's forever a battle of faith and fear, but faith will always conquer fear. We hear, do it scared. Change the perspective, don't do it scared, do it faithful. If fear is the foundation, it will crumble. There will be hesitation and inconsistency. Allowing faith to be the catalyst and the Lord being the foundation, nothing and no one in hell can prevail against it. That includes self-sabotage.

This doesn't mean there won't be moments of waiting. Wait on the Lord. The Lord will give you strength in moments of waiting (Isaiah 40:31). That's where operating from our will instead of out of God's will comes in. Since God's timing is perfect, He knows when it is time to release you into your new territory. Even when you think you're ready, trust God over what you feel.

Allow faith to speak louder than misplaced fear. Taking time out of your day to research scriptures on what the bible says about combating fear, hesitation and anxiety will set you up for faith to rise up when it's needed the most. Faith to trust the process. Faith to trust the Lord. Faith to shine bright when others want to dull down. Let Faith arise and it will put EVERYTHING back in its rightful place.