I've heard it said that the opposite of FAITH is FEAR and vice-versa; so why do I still worry?

Question

I try to put my faith in God and allow Him to guide my Life; yet, sometimes I find myself worried over "petty" things ~ things that I know that I have NO CONTROL over. What are some ways to keep my FAITH more dominant than my FEAR?

UNFORTUNATELY, I wanted replies from BELIEVERS, but I see that the non-believers are UP EARLY this morning!

Answer 1

Its also about trust. You need to trust God. You can ask Him for more faith and He will give it.

Answer 2

Well, since your main concern is with petty things. You could ask God to give you bigger problems, that way you would likely forget many of the petty ones. Seriously though, it may help to write down some of the things that distress you. This may highlight for you exactly what is troubling you. Some of the concerns may not be as petty as you think. You could pray over the list and develop a course of action. Maybe you could improve your schedule, get others to help with different tasks etc. Also, read the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-41, do what Mary did. We live in a very intense fast paced world and many people have a hard time finding rest and faith. It is something we have to work for and guard diligently.

Answer 3

Lots of people say lots of goofy and irrational things. Doesn't make them true. Plus, it isn't necessarily fear. Sounds like general anxiety to me, which is natural in people--the tendency to fret over things real or imagined, just to feel in control of something.
When you think about it, a dreadful lot of things in life fall into the 'nothing I can do about it' category, so we worry about them. I often think, not so much because they are likely, but kind of as a trial-run, like in the tv series 'Worst Case Scenario.' That's natural, and not inherently a bad thing, so long as you don't allow your anxiety to lead you into foolishness or get too much on your nerves.
People, even females, are built to want to DO something, about just almost everything. Thing is, it really is against our basic instincts to just let someone else handle it--probably why God made such a point of requesting it of us. The whole 'follow the Spirit rather than the Flesh' factor.
Best way to keep tthe Faith above the Fear, realize that in following God's leading, you ARE doing something, and not just passively waiting for Him to make a move or whatever. Following God truly requires more than just sitting back and letting Him do it, you have to LISTEN for His leading, and to follow it when you hear it. Not always easy, especially since the Reasoner--what the old time methodists called Lucifer--never sleeps. Not unlike rust. And, believe me, listening is an art-form in itself, cause the natural tendency of the human is to discount disembodied advice. If you focus on listening, and then doing, you will have lots less time for fretting over petty worries and fears.
Seems to me you have come to a learning curve, and would do well to follow it--you never know where God is taking you, but you can count on the fact that, in the long run, it will be good that you did. Note, this failing wouldn't be bothering you if He did not wish you to learn from it. Final word: there is a reason why He made such a point of not worrying over things beyond your control--namely that He knows people will do it. The thing is, in the last analysis, the ONLY thing over which you truly do have control, is what YOU do.

Answer 4

In contrast to the obviously atheist answers you have been receiving, maybe this will help: you may have answered the question yourself. If you believe that God is guiding your life, then you have to believe that all these "petty" things you worry about are part of the path He has in mind for you. You would be correct, then, in seeing them as out of your control - because they would be in His control. Therefore, they may not actually be "petty" - in any case, it wouldn't be for you to decide they were. Have faith that they are part of God's path for you,and do not judge them. Deal with them as best you can, with the gifts you have been granted, and believe that he would not put any obstacle before you which you could not handle.

Answer 5

while many people say "fear not" the bible says to "fear god" so by bibilical defintion they are the same thing. Fearing him is to have faith in him. If you did not fear say death and the chance that you may not make it to heaven or a car accident paralizing you, you would show disrepect and lake of faith. Just because you fear doesn't by any standard mean that you do not believe it means that you are human. It's what you do with that fear that can make your faith seem deminished. If you have faith you face your fears.

and off topic a bit but the bible also says to "judge not lest we be judged" so you should not speak bad about non believers but pray for them. They have their own spirtual paths and you have yours. Have faith that they are in Gods hands.

Answer 6

Fear is an emotion, faith is a decision. Fear isn't a bad thing, being controlled by fear is the absence of faith. Big difference between having a feeling (fear) and losing faith. When you are fearful, faith is required to progress. I have faith that our military is capable of staving off our government being overtaken by Muslim government. Doesn't mean I'm not afraid they will try.

In the same way, I have faith that God loves me and has designed the best instruction for me to live by. I may fear a decision based on this faith, but I decide to follow His instruction because I believe it is the best path for me to take.

http://judgeright.blogspot.com

Answer 7

It helps to hang around with like minded people. If you have faith it doesn't mean that your life will be easier, it just means that you have the faith to get up & keep going through the fearful or tough times. Read your bible...there are many verses that address fear.

Answer 8

Sorry, but you have it backwards. Faith arises FROM fear....fear of the unknown. People, for some reason, need everything spelled out for them...if they do not understand something, they call it 'God's way." IF they do not understand something, they say, "Only God knows the true path" or "It is God's plan." or something along these lines. When man knew nothing of his surroundings, he made up gods for this , for that, and always, they have man's image. Then, in order to make things even more mystical, they decided that GOD created man in HIS image, not the other way around...that is the one thing that made the ancient religions different than the newer ones....IF there is ANY TRUTH to your faith, it is the saying, "God helps those who help themselves." Start helping yourself, accept blame for your failures, learn from them, and then give YOURSELF a pat on the back when your work pays off..don't go thanking God for your success. Only when we accept responsibility for our success and failure can we become enlightened. This in NO WAY denies a God, but it certainly puts things where they belong. God does NOT need you running off to church to pray OR contribute money. YOU do you praying as you see fit, fund what YOU see fit, give to those in need where you see fit. Good luck

Answer 9

Pray often ask the Holy Spirit to give you stength that God will handle these things don't let doubt slip in and when in doubt Pray let go and let God the Holy Spirit is our comforter in this wicked world there is so much evil in this world that will try and put this doubt in your life God will not fail you keep your faith and pray often God does hear your prayers

Answer 10

I don't think the opposite of faith is fear, I think it is probably one of the only words that has no opposite.
I am not religious but mother in law is and she has a small religious book that she keeps in her bathroom by her tub, I have looked through it a few times. It actually has great advice in it for not sweating the small stuff. I can't remember the name of it, but maybe you could ask the clergy from your church and they could give you the name of a similar book.

Answer 11

You have to increase your faith by associating with people who have dedicated their lifes to the Lord, especially with people who are already completely purified and who are seeing God with their own eyes and who know how to do His will at every moment. When you see God with your own eyes, your faith will be complete, and you will have no fear. I recommend you to study books of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. You can find them at www.vedabase.net By studying his books carefully your faith will greatly increase. Associating with devotees will also greatly help you. You can sign up for my spiritual master's free e-course at www.backtohome.com, and you can ask him different questions about spiritual topics.