4 Ways of Moving Forward In Faith While Frozen By Fear

Have you ever had to intentionally move forward in faith? I sure have.

I looked down at the incoming text message from my sweet, concerned friend, “Megan, you have two options. What do you want to do?” I couldn’t answer. I couldn’t think clearly. The circumstances I stood in left me completely frozen by fear. Neither option seemed right. 

I had to choose something. I couldn’t stay there. Though a part of me wished that I could. Because sometimes, there is a peculiar comfort in staying stagnant – in thinking that if I can just ignore the whole situation it will go away. 

At the same time, I knew it wasn’t going anywhere. I had to take a step in one direction or another. I had to move forward in faith. 

Have you ever had a similar experience? Have you ever felt like moving forward through a certain circumstance seemed impossible? When fear’s grip held on so tightly that it left you feeling frozen? 

Maybe you are experiencing some of these feelings now. 

4 Ways to Moving Forward in Faith When You Are Frozen In Fear

There is no one perfect strategy in our battle against fear. However, there are some biblical principles that we can exercise to help us in this fight.

1. Turn Your Eyes to Jesus

“let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” Hebrews 12:1-2

Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father and He lives to intercede for us. He has given us full access to the very throne of God. So, let’s not forget to run to Him. Run into His presence. We can rely on His grace to sustain and carry us through our fears.

Most times, to turn your eyes to Jesus is just refocusing your thoughts. It’s intentionally shifting our gaze off the wind and waves and onto our Savior. Then, once our gaze is fixed on Him, we can continue to move forward in faith

2. Give Thanks in Everything

in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Gratitude has a way of lifting our minds out of our circumstances and into heavenly places. The Bible tells us that we are to make our requests known to God with thanksgiving, and the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Gratitude guards us. It shields us from the kind of thinking that causes us to fall into the enemy’s trap of fear. 

Giving thanks and praise is something we should practice daily. That way, when the storms and trials come we have already cultivated gratitude as our habitude.  

3. Remember the Goodness of God

You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm Deuteronomy 5:15

Remember the goodness of God. Don’t forget all the ways that God has been faithful. 

This was Israel’s problem. We read in Judges 2:10 that it only took one generation of God’s people to forget Him. They failed to remember all the miracles He performed and all the ways He faithfully led them out of Egypt and into the promised land. This caused them to abandon God and keep them from moving forward in faith. Remembering how God has been good to us in the past helps us to move forward in our faith. 

I’ve found it helpful to keep a journal where I can write down the ways God has shown Himself to be faithful in my life. Then, I go back and revisit my entries. This has been a great way for me to encourage myself in the Lord and remind myself of how good God has been to me.

4. Cast Out Fear with God’s Promises

God’s Word is our greatest weapon against fear. His promises are unchanging and unfailing. God’s Word is more powerful than any thought, fear, principality, or power that comes against us. 

Therefore, the most powerful way we can cast out fear is to expose it to the light of God’s Word. The Bible is full of God’s promises! If you are struggling with a particular fear or anxious thought find a promise from God that speaks directly to that fear. Memorize it! Declare it! Believe it!

I have created scripture cards containing different verses that address fear as a free gift to you. Print and meditate on these verses. Use them to help you cast out your fear.

Related Posts and Resources:

• Not All Mustard Seeds Move Mountains
• How to Hear God’s Voice