Growing Faith Through Fear

The Lord’s work is changing hearts. That sounds inspiring or maybe even miraculous, until we realize what this entails. Change and growth are not always comfortable. In fact, one of the primary tools God uses to change us and grow our faith is facing our fears.
 
Romans 5:3-5 teaches that tribulation produces perseverance, perseverance produces prove character, and proven character produces hope. This progression does not happen miraculously or come with ease. It begins with tribulation. Fear. Uncertainty. Pain. Yet Paul says we can “exult” in those moments because we know how God works. Through testing and purifying fire we can grow in faith but only if we lean on God.
 
James 1:2-5 reminds us of this same thing. The testing of our faith produces endurance. If we lack wisdom, we are told to ask God. But wisdom often comes through experience. Those experiences are often difficult seasons where we walk with God instead of running from difficulties. Fear, when faced with faith, becomes a training ground to equip us for battle.
 
The patriarchs illustrate this for us.
 
Abraham left home not knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8-1). That required faith. But famine came (Genesis 12:10). Fear followed. He told Sarah, his wife, to say she was his sister because he was afraid for his life (Genesis 12:11-13). Abraham repeated this mistake later in his life (Genesis 20:11-13). Yet God did not abandon him. Through repeated fears and failures, Abraham’s faith matured. When asked to offer Isaac (Hebrews 11:17-19), he trusted that God could even raise the dead. The man who once feared losing his life now trusted God with his son’s life. God had put Abraham in situations that grew his faith through fear.
 
Isaac had a godly father (Genesis 18:19), but inherited faith is not the same as tested faith. When Isaac faced danger, he repeated his father’s fear driven deception (Genesis 26:7). Isaac had to learn personally that God refines faith through trials (1 Peter 1:6-7).
 
Jacob may be the most dramatic example. A deceiver and manipulator, he lived in constant conflict. When Jacob feared meeting Esau, his prayer revealed a humble heart: “I am unworthy… deliver me… for I fear him” (Genesis 32:9-12). Fear broke his self reliance and drove Jacob to God’s promises.
 
Joseph later capture this idea in a single sentence: “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). Fearful and painful circumstances became the very means by which God preserved life.
 
Fear is not the enemy when it drives us toward God. When we cling to His promises instead of withdrawing. Fear can be used to strengthen endurance, deepen character and anchor hope.
 
God is still growing faith through fear today. Will you allow Him to grow you through it?