What steps can we take to trust God more in fearful situations? The Scene That Exposes Our Fearful Hearts “For they were all so terrified that Peter did not know what else to say.” – Mark 9:6 On the mountain Peter’s mouth ran ahead of his faith. Glory surrounded him, but fear still ruled his reflexes. His mistake is our mirror: when panic hits, we often scramble for quick fixes instead of steady trust. Step 1: Acknowledge the Fear Honestly • Scripture never denies that believers feel afraid. • Psalm 56:3 models a simple confession: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” • Naming the fear before God is the doorway to defeating it. Step 2: Move From Talking to Listening • Peter blurted out plans; God answered with a cloud and the command, “Listen to Him!” (Mark 9:7). • Quiet your inner monologue: open the Bible, pause in silence, invite the Spirit to speak. • James 1:19 reminds: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak.” Step 3: Fix Your Eyes on Jesus’ Glory • Fear shrinks when Jesus fills the frame. • Hebrews 12:2 calls us to look “to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” • Rehearse His power: the One who shines brighter than the sun on the mountain still rules every valley. Step 4: Hear the Father’s Voice of Assurance • God said, “This is My beloved Son” (Mark 9:7). If the Father delights in the Son, and the Son claims you (John 10:28), your security is settled. • Isaiah 41:10 stacks promise upon promise: “I will strengthen you… I will uphold you.” Step 5: Rest on God’s Word and Character Practical ways to anchor your mind: – Memorize key verses (e.g., 2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 27:1). – Journal instances of past deliverance; read them back when new fears arise. – Sing truth-filled hymns or worship songs that declare God’s attributes. Step 6: Obey the Next Clear Instruction • Jesus told the disciples to rise and follow Him back down the mountain (Mark 9:9). • Trust grows by doing the next thing He asks—however small—while the emotion of fear still lingers. • Philippians 4:6-7 ties obedient prayer to promised peace: act on His counsel, and His peace guards your heart. Step 7: Celebrate His Faithfulness After the Storm • When the moment of terror passes, don’t rush on. Thank Him. • Psalm 118:17: “I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the LORD has done!” • Celebration cements confidence for the next trial. Putting It All Together Acknowledge the fear → listen to Christ → gaze on His glory → receive the Father’s assurance → rest in Scripture → obey immediately → celebrate afterward. Follow that rhythm, and the next time terror tempts you to build useless shelters of self-reliance, you’ll find yourself standing instead in settled, growing trust. |
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