Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen… (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).
Faith is a firm belief for something for which there is no proof… (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/faith).
Fear is best described as a strong emotion brought on by the expectation of something unpleasant or dangerous.
Both faith and fear are strong beliefs — one for a good outcome, the other for bad.
Because fear is a type of faith, when fear comes in, it cancels or nullifies true or real faith.
Faith brings hope.
Fear brings despair.
How to Recognize Faith
Where there is faith there is a sense of peace. However, wherever there is fear there is unrest and stress.
Faith is more than speaking words; faith is also shaping actions to what is believed.
If a person expresses belief in something but their actions are in direct contrast to what is being expressed, this disqualifies the belief, the faith.
Because faith is so important to the Christian’s walk with God, fear is the Christian’s enemy.
Instead of fear that comes from focusing on circumstances, the Christian must stand in her unwavering faith in God.
How to Recognize Fear
Fear takes the focus away from God and brings focus to the surroundings and circumstances.
When the Apostle focused on Jesus Christ, he found the faith to literally walk on water. When the Apostle took his eyes away from Jesus Christ, fear came in and he began to sink.
Fear can take the Christian’s focus from God and put the focus on the human.
The Christian who is walking in fear, and not faith, worries and becomes anxious about what human beings may do to her, rather than focusing on what God can and has promised to do.
Again, the Apostle Peter walked with Jesus Christ and experienced the miracles of Christ firsthand.
Peter boldly proclaimed about Jesus, “Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God” (Matthew16:16 KJV). Yet when fear entered and he worried about what could happen to him if he aligned himself with Christ, he denied the Savior.
When Faith Wins
Faith is putting your money where your mouth is.
Faith says you may be able to kill me but God can give me eternal life.
Faith says I may have to live alone, or walk alone, but I am not lonely because God is my security, God is my companion, and when I am alone, I can commune with God because He surrounds me.
Faith says you can take the house, the car, and the job, but God provided them in the first place and, just as He provided them before, He can provide them again.
Faith must always win over fear.
