Choosing Faith Over Fear: A Personal Journey

Summary

Today’s gathering began with a powerful testimony from Hope Rubidoux, who shared her journey of moving from a childhood decision for Christ to a deeply personal, adult faith. Her story is a reminder that faith must be owned, not inherited, and that God continually invites us to make our relationship with Him real and personal. As we celebrated her baptism, we were reminded that making our faith public is both a declaration of trust in Christ and an encouragement to others who may be wrestling with doubts or uncertainty about their own faith journey.

We then turned our hearts to communion, reflecting on the immense cost of our salvation. The broken body and shed blood of Jesus are not just symbols, but reminders of the depth of God’s love and the completeness of His forgiveness. Gratitude is the only fitting response, and as we remembered Christ’s sacrifice, we were invited to lay down our anxieties and needs before Him, trusting in His faithfulness and care.

The heart of our time together centered on Proverbs 29:25: “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” Fear, especially the fear of others’ opinions and rejection, is a paralyzing trap that can keep us from obedience and from experiencing the fullness of God’s will. We saw this in the life of Saul, who chose the approval of people over the command of God, and in the disciples, who let fear keep them in the boat while only Peter stepped out in faith.

Faith, by contrast, is a liberating choice. It means resting in God’s character, sovereignty, promises, and timing—even when it’s difficult or costly. Faith is not wishful thinking, but a calculated confidence in God’s proven trustworthiness. Living by faith requires daily surrender, honest self-examination, and a willingness to love others as God loves us. Ultimately, faith and fear are both choices we make, and God calls us to choose faith, empowered by His Spirit, every day. We are reminded that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline, and that everything we need to walk in faith is already ours in Christ.

Key Takeaways

- Faith must be personal and continually renewed. It is not enough to rely on a decision made in childhood or on the faith of others; each of us must come to a place where we own our relationship with Christ, making it real and public. This ongoing process of surrender and affirmation is essential for a vibrant, authentic walk with God. [08:36]

- Fear is a subtle but powerful trap that can paralyze our obedience and distort our priorities. The desire for acceptance, security, and approval from others can lead us to compromise or disobey God, as seen in the life of Saul and the disciples. Recognizing the roots of our fears is the first step toward freedom. [49:33]

- Faith is not blind optimism, but a reasoned trust in God’s character and promises. It means choosing to rest in who God is, even when circumstances are uncertain or His timing is difficult to understand. True faith is demonstrated by obedience, especially when it is costly or unpopular. [54:39]

- Living by faith is a daily, sometimes moment-by-moment, struggle that requires intentional choices. We must discover our true identity in Christ, stand firm in our calling, examine our motivations, love others sacrificially, and continually defer to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is not a one-time decision, but a lifestyle of surrender and trust. [01:00:51]

- The choice between faith and fear is always before us, and God has already given us everything we need to choose faith. The Spirit within us empowers us to say yes to God and no to fear, enabling us to walk in freedom, power, and love. Our security is not found in the approval of people, but in the unchanging favor and presence of God. [59:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:02] - Hope Rubidoux’s Testimony
[04:10] - Baptism and Public Declaration
[08:36] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
[19:29] - The Cost of Redemption
[20:34] - The New Covenant and Gratitude
[37:37] - Offering and God’s Faithfulness
[43:43] - What is Faith?
[47:40] - Proverbs 29:25 and the Fear Trap
[49:33] - Saul’s Downfall: Fear of Man
[51:18] - The Disciples and the Paralysis of Fear
[52:32] - Faith Draws Us to Jesus
[54:39] - Trusting God’s Character and Timing
[55:59] - The Security of God’s Approval
[57:38] - God’s Faithfulness in Scripture
[59:25] - Faith and Fear: A Daily Choice
[01:00:51] - Living by Faith: Five Principles
[01:05:00] - Prayer and Invitation to Faith

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Faith or Fear? (Based on Proverbs 29:25 and Sermon Summary)

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### Bible Reading

- Proverbs 29:25 – “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”
- Hebrews 11:1, 6 – “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen... And without faith it is impossible to please God.”
- 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Proverbs 29:25, what is the result of fearing people, and what is the result of trusting in the Lord?
2. In the sermon, what reasons did Saul give for disobeying God, and what did he finally admit was his real motivation? [[49:33]]
3. What does Hebrews 11:1 say faith is, and how does the sermon explain this in everyday terms? [[43:43]]
4. What does 2 Timothy 1:7 say God has given us instead of a spirit of fear?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does the “fear of man” act like a trap or snare in our lives, according to the sermon and Proverbs 29:25? [[47:40]]
2. How did the fear of people’s opinions affect Saul’s obedience to God? What does this reveal about the dangers of seeking approval from others? [[49:33]]
3. The sermon says faith is a “calculated confidence” in God’s trustworthiness, not just wishful thinking. What does this mean for how we make decisions when we’re afraid or uncertain? [[43:43]]
4. The pastor mentioned that living by faith is a daily, sometimes moment-by-moment, struggle. Why do you think it’s so hard to consistently choose faith over fear? [[59:25]]

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### Application Questions

1. Hope Rubidoux shared about moving from a childhood faith to a personal, adult faith. Have you ever had a moment where you realized your faith needed to become your own? What did that look like for you? [[08:36]]
2. The sermon talked about making faith public as an encouragement to others. Is there a step of faith you feel God is asking you to take publicly (like baptism, sharing your story, or something else)? What’s holding you back? [[08:36]]
3. Saul’s downfall was rooted in the fear of people’s opinions. Can you think of a time when fear of what others thought kept you from obeying God? What would it look like to choose faith in a similar situation today? [[49:33]]
4. The disciples stayed in the boat while only Peter stepped out in faith. Is there an “area of the boat” in your life where fear is keeping you from stepping out? What would it look like to trust God and take a step? [[51:18]]
5. The sermon said faith is a daily choice and that God has already given us everything we need to choose faith. What is one practical way you can remind yourself to choose faith over fear this week? [[59:52]]
6. The pastor listed five principles for living by faith: knowing your identity in Christ, standing firm, examining your motives, loving others, and following the Spirit’s lead. Which of these do you find most challenging, and why? [[01:00:51]]
7. 2 Timothy 1:7 says God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. Which of these do you need to lean into most right now to overcome fear in your life? How can the group pray for you in this area?

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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person choose faith over fear and to trust in His love and faithfulness.

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Over Fear: Trusting God, Not the Approval of Others
Fear of people is a paralyzing trap that can keep us from obeying God and living out our true calling. The desire to be liked, accepted, and secure is universal, but when we let the fear of rejection or criticism dictate our choices, we end up compromising our obedience and missing out on God’s best for us. True freedom comes when we choose to trust God’s approval over the fleeting approval of people, allowing His love and acceptance to define us. [47:40]

Proverbs 29:25 (ESV)
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you most tempted to seek the approval of others over God’s approval, and what is one step you can take today to trust God instead?


Day 2: Faith Is a Liberating Choice
Faith is not just wishful thinking; it is a deliberate, confident trust in God’s character, promises, and timing—even when it doesn’t make sense or isn’t popular. Choosing faith means resting in who God is, obeying Him even when it’s costly, and believing that His way is always best. When we trust in the Lord, He sets us securely above our circumstances, providing safety and direction that human approval can never offer. [54:39]

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Reflection: What is one area where God is calling you to step out in faith, and how can you choose to trust His character and timing today?


Day 3: Learning from the Trap of Fear: Saul’s Example
Saul’s story reminds us that the fear of people can lead us to disobey God, even when we know what He has asked of us. Saul admitted that he sinned because he feared the people and obeyed their voice instead of God’s. This same trap can ensnare us if we let the opinions or expectations of others override God’s clear direction in our lives. [49:33]

1 Samuel 15:24 (ESV)
Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.”

Reflection: Can you recall a time when fear of others’ opinions led you to compromise your obedience to God? What would it look like to choose God’s voice over others’ today?


Day 4: Living by Faith Is a Daily Surrender
The Christian life requires daily, moment-by-moment faith—a continual surrender of our will to God’s. We are called to discover our true identity in Christ, stand firm in faith, examine our motives, love others as God loves us, and rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Living by faith is not a one-time decision but a daily choice to trust God with every part of our lives, trading insecurity for the security of His presence and power. [01:00:51]

Galatians 5:1, 13-16 (ESV)
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. … For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can surrender your will to God today and walk by the Spirit instead of your own desires?


Day 5: God Has Given Us Power, Not Fear
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline. Because the Holy Spirit lives within us, we have everything we need to say yes to God and no to fear. Living by faith means choosing to trust God’s power and presence in every situation, believing that He is able to guide, protect, and provide for us as we follow Him. [01:04:00]

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Reflection: Where do you sense fear holding you back from what God is calling you to do, and how can you rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to move forward in faith today?

Quotes

Trust the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your steps. That's just one verse of over 40 verses in this book that deal with trust and reliance and depending on God. [00:47:30] (19 seconds) Edit Clip

Every one of us in this room, we have this need to be liked, accepted, and to feel secure. And it refers to this natural pursuit that we have to gain the approval of others so that we never feel rejected, we never feel criticized, and we never feel persecuted. [00:48:37] (19 seconds) Edit Clip

To find our security in God is far greater and more powerful than finding our approval in people. Think about it. Man's approval is fickle. Man's approval is fleeting. In fact, more often than not, it's available only to the highest bidder or it's conditional based upon that what have you done for me lately mentality. But not with God. His favor is eternal. His favor is firm. [00:56:55] (36 seconds) Edit Clip

How do I know that? Look at this phrase, you shall be safe. It means to be set securely on high. It means that God has lifted us above our circumstances to care for us so that he can direct our steps if we will trust in him. [00:57:38] (15 seconds) Edit Clip

God was always there ready to respond and move when his people trusted him in faith and stepped out and said, my God can do whatever God wants to do in and through my life if I'll make myself a vessel, an instrument for him to work in and through me. [00:58:26] (20 seconds) Edit Clip

It means faith like fear is always a choice. Did you hear that? Faith and fear are a choice? You feel that way because you choose to feel that way. You step out in faith because you choose to step out in faith. And so every one of us have a decision to make. Am I going to trust God or am I going to trust in someone else or something else? [00:59:06] (33 seconds) Edit Clip

Living in faith is a daily struggle. Duh. This is a good time to introduce Hebrews 11, 6, in case you've never read that, where it says in verse 1 that faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence, the confidence of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen. Verse 11 says, for without faith, it's impossible to please God. [01:00:43] (27 seconds) Edit Clip

The key to choosing faith is choosing to believe and to abide because it's impossible to live the christian life independently of the holy spirit and so we must choose daily minute by minute day by day when we come to these faith forks in the road we have to say okay this is the way god would go this the way the world would go which way am i going to choose faith chooses the way of god faith chooses the way of god. [01:07:07] (32 seconds) Edit Clip