Does Fear Mean You Don’t Have Faith?

Here is where this gets encouraging to you and me. Even though Gideon believed, he was still afraid. In case you don’t believe me consider this. After that initial encounter, God gave Gideon an instruction.

That instruction was clear, and I want you to notice how Gideon responded to this instruction.

I hope you see it. Gideon was afraid, yet he did it anyway. I hope this helps you see that having faith does not mean you won’t be afraid. There may be things God requires of you that are far greater than your natural ability to accomplish, and it is normal to be afraid. Don’t let that stop you. Sometimes if you don’t do it afraid, you may not do it at all.

It is okay to do it afraid. Allow me to reiterate. Faith is not the absence of fear. Faith is the courage to obey God and do what he asks even when you are afraid. This is exactly what Gideon did.

Perhaps the best part of the reality of faith and fear is this: God responds to your faith even when you are afraid. God knows we are flesh. He knows we are limited and he knows there will be times when we are nervous or afraid. That fear does not mean you don’t have faith. You can have fear, but as long as you do what God is telling you to do, you are acting in faith.

The reality of your walk with Jesus is that there are going to be times you are afraid. In these moments, do what he is asking you to do anyway. If you must, then act when you are afraid. Believe when you are afraid. Trust when you are afraid. Your fear is not an indicator you don’t have faith, and as Gideon has shown us, even mighty warriors can be mighty and still operate in fear.

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Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a dynamic speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club, dedicated to helping people live with purpose and clarity. In addition to his ministry work, Clarence has spent the last 13 years as a trusted financial educator, guiding thousands of people across the country—including employees at many Fortune 500 companies—toward lasting financial wellness. His unique ability to blend practical wisdom with spiritual insight equips people to thrive in every area of life.

He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose, which helps readers understand how God leads them into his will, and the author of The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has released his first course, Bible Study Basics, to achieve that goal. To learn more about his ministry and resources, please visit clarencehaynes.com.