WITH- Don't Let Fear Drive Your Decisions

Walking In The Word – Week 2

Don't Let Fear Drive Your Decisions

Opening Greeting

Good Morning UCF!

This is Pastor Ken, and we are Walking In The Word.

Thank you for joining me today as we spend a few moments together in God's Word. Every day we are faced with choices, some small and some life-changing. The question is: Who or what is influencing our decisions?

Today's Walking In The Word is entitled:

Don't Let Fear Drive Your Decisions

Foundation Scripture

Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Supporting Scripture

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Supporting Scripture

Psalm 56:3–4 (KJV)

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me."

Introduction

Fear is one of the most powerful emotions we experience.

It has the ability to influence our thoughts, affect our relationships, and even determine the decisions we make.

Fear can keep us from applying for the job God has prepared for us.

Fear can stop us from forgiving someone who hurt us.

Fear can prevent us from stepping into the purpose God has planned for our lives.

The enemy knows that if he can keep us afraid, he can often keep us from moving forward in faith.

But throughout Scripture, one of God's most repeated commands is simply this:

"Fear not."

Why?

Because fear and faith cannot lead your life at the same time.

Today, let's discover how God's Word teaches us to make decisions based on faith instead of fear.

Teaching

Fear Is a Feeling—Not Your Master

Let's begin with our foundation scripture.

The Lord says through Isaiah,

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee."

Notice that God doesn't say you will never experience fear.

He says, "Do not let fear control you."

Even some of the greatest men and women in the Bible experienced fear.

Moses feared he wasn't qualified.

Joshua faced fear after Moses' death.

Elijah became discouraged after his greatest victory.

Even the disciples were afraid during the storm on the Sea of Galilee.

Fear itself is not a sin.

Allowing fear to replace faith is where we get into trouble.

God immediately follows His command with a promise.

"I am with thee."

That's the difference for every believer.

We never face life's challenges alone.

The presence of God gives us courage even when the circumstances haven't changed.

You may not feel strong today.

But your strength doesn't come from you.

It comes from the God who walks beside you.

Replace Fear with God's Truth

Paul tells Timothy something every Christian needs to remember.

"God hath not given us the spirit of fear..."

Think about that.

Fear doesn't originate with God.

God gives us something completely different.

Power.

Love.

A sound mind.

Fear says,

"What if I fail?"

Faith says,

"What if God helps me succeed?"

Fear says,

"I'm not enough."

Faith says,

"My God is more than enough."

Fear magnifies problems.

Faith magnifies God.

The enemy wants your imagination to focus on everything that could go wrong.

God wants your heart focused on everything He has already promised.

Whenever fear begins speaking louder than God's Word, it's time to open your Bible and remind yourself of His promises.

The more truth you feed your spirit, the less room fear has to grow.

Faith Makes Decisions Based on God's Presence

David gives us a beautiful example in Psalm 56.

He doesn't say,

"I never get afraid."

Instead he says,

"What time I am afraid..."

In other words...

"There will be moments when fear shows up."

But notice what David does next.

"...I will trust in thee."

That's a decision.

Fear may knock on your door.

But you don't have to invite it to stay.

David learned that courage isn't the absence of fear.

Courage is choosing to trust God while fear is trying to speak.

Think about David standing before Goliath.

Everyone else saw a giant.

David saw an opportunity for God to receive the glory.

The difference wasn't the size of the giant.

The difference was the size of David's faith.

Many of us are standing at the edge of blessings we've prayed for.

But fear whispers,

"What if this doesn't work?"

"What if people criticize you?"

"What if you fail?"

Can I encourage you today?

Don't let fear make decisions that faith should be making.

If God is leading you...

Trust Him.

If God opens the door...

Walk through it.

If God gives you peace...

Move forward with confidence.

Because where God guides...

God provides.

Life Application

Ask yourself this question today:

"Am I making this decision because I trust God...or because I'm afraid?"

That's an important question.

Fear will always encourage you to stay where it's comfortable.

Faith will often invite you to step where you've never been before.

Sometimes your greatest breakthrough is waiting on the other side of your obedience.

Remember...

You don't have to know everything about tomorrow.

You only need to trust the God who is already there.

Weekly Challenge

This week, whenever you begin to feel anxious or afraid, stop for a moment and declare these words aloud:

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

Then pray...

"Lord, help me make decisions based on faith and not fear."

Watch how God's peace begins to replace your anxiety.

Key Takeaways

Fear is an emotion, but it doesn't have to control your life.

God's presence is greater than your problems.

Faith grows stronger every time you choose to trust God's promises.

Courage is trusting God even when you still feel afraid.

The best decisions are made by following God's Word, not your worries.

Memorable Quotes

"Fear may visit your mind, but faith should live in your heart."

"Never let fear make decisions that belong to faith."

"God's presence is greater than your greatest fear."

"Faith doesn't ignore the problem—it focuses on God's promise."

"Where God guides, God provides."

Closing Encouragement

Family, every one of us faces moments when fear tries to convince us to stop believing, stop trusting, or stop moving forward.

But remember this:

The God who called you is the same God who walks with you.

He will strengthen you.

He will help you.

He will uphold you.

Whatever decision you're facing today, don't let fear have the final word.

Let God's Word guide your heart, His Spirit direct your steps, and His promises give you peace.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You have not given us a spirit of fear. When we are uncertain, help us to trust in Your presence and rely on Your promises instead of our emotions. Fill us with Your power, surround us with Your love, and give us a sound mind so that every decision we make will honor You. Strengthen those who are facing difficult choices today, and let Your perfect peace guard their hearts. We declare that our faith is greater than our fear because You are greater than every challenge we face. We thank You for always being with us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Final Encouragement

Thank you for joining me today for Walking In The Word.

Always remember...

Fear looks at the problem...

Faith looks at the God who is bigger than the problem.

Until next time...

Keep Walking In The Word!

God bless you.