Gratitude Challenge 2 // Faith Over Fear

By Mark Jordan | November 10, 2024

A message by Pastor Mark Jordan

Last Week

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) | give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
  • How do we express gratitude when life is challenging?
  • Last week, All Saints Day, Resurrection > Death
  • This week: Faith > Fear

Fear

  • Automatic response
  • Processed in the amygdala
  • Part of our defense mechanism for survival
    • When you sense fear, the amygdala alerts your nervous system, which triggers your body’s fear response.
    • The amygdala is important for survival because it helps you learn what’s dangerous and how to respond to it.

God commands us not to fear

  • Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) | So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
  • God knows fear is a natural reaction
    • He reminds us He is with us
    • Dismay: shock, anxiety, depression over unexpected
    • God strengthens (2 Cor.12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”
    • God holds us

God wants us to have faith

  • Faith is…
    • Hebrews 11:1 (TLB) | What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.
    • Faith is processed in the prefrontal cortex, which helps us make sense of the fear responses we receive
  • God wants us to face our fears, but respond in faith

To choose faith over fear, you can:

  • Acknowledge your fears
  • Pray and study scripture
  • Focus on God’s promises
  • Seek community support
  • Actively put your faith into action


This Week’s Challenge

  • Worry Less
    • “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt.6:34, NIV))
  • Pray More
    • “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil.4:6, NIV)
  • Trust God
    • “Commit everything you do to the Lord.
          Trust him, and he will help you.” (Psalm 37:5, NLT)

Reflection Questions

  1. What comes to mind when you think about faith over fear?
  2. What did you learn about how fear is processed in the brain?
  3. So how can God command us not to fear?
  4. How is faith processed in the brain? Why, then, is faith so important?
  5. How can you choose faith over fear as part of your gratitude challenge?
Posted in Hope+ Content, Sermon Notes and Reflection Questions