Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxietyናሙና

Day 7: Keeping the faith

ARE YOU “KEEPING THE FAITH”?

What is the state of your faith? If you’re a Christian, you have faith in God, particularly the faith in Him that leads to salvation. But that’s not the question being asked. Rather, what do you depend on most in your day-to-day life. Do you primarily focus and depend on your feelings? Your fears? Your thoughts of what might happen? Where do you look for confidence as you face the challenges and trials of life?

What is faith? The word that’s commonly translated “faith” in the Bible means more than mere belief. It does mean belief, but it also implies dependence and trust. Faith, because it incorporates dependence and trust, also embodies action. This action can take many forms, as we see in the list of examples in Hebrews 11.

If you have time, consider reading all of Hebrews chapter 11 for a grand summary of God’s actions on behalf of those (“the people of old”) who put their faith in Him. Otherwise, free to meditate on the following verses below.

The passage begins:

1 Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old gained approval. —Hebrews 11:1-2

After detailing examples of the faith of Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the Israelites, and Rahab, the passage continues:

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. —Hebrews 11:32-34

Belief that doesn’t eventuate in a changed life isn’t true biblical faith. It’s not that faith can’t be weak at times or that it doesn’t struggle. But rather, that faith is living...it moves...it can be perceived.

That’s because faith that is true faith trusts and depends on God. Because of what Christ has done, you can watch your fears fly away, knowing that they’ve been vanquished by the one who alone has the power to dispel them.

REFLECTION

What is the difference between belief and faith? What is the evidence of faith?

Take time now to think about what you’ve learned through these devotionals and summarize your thoughts in a prayer of trust and thanksgiving.

We hope you found this YouVersion plan helpful! You can read more from Elyse Fitzpatrick in her book Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety, available here.