Choosing Faith Over Fear

Nehemiah 6:9

“They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.’ But I prayed, ‘Now strengthen my hands.'”

The enemy’s tactic of intimidation is nothing new, and Nehemiah knew that well. His opponents hoped that if he became afraid, he would falter and the work would stop. Yet, Nehemiah didn’t let his fears make the decisions; instead, he prayed for strength and refused to let fear determine his actions. This bold move teaches us that though we may feel fear, we don’t have to obey it. Fear is a choice we make, but faith is a choice we can make too. Nehemiah’s discernment was rooted in his firm trust in God, reminding us that we don’t have to let fear rule.

How often do we fall into the trap of worrying about what others might say or think? Sometimes it feels like the opinions of others control us, but as Benjamin Franklin wisely noted, “Since I cannot govern my own tongue, tho’ within my own teeth, how can I hope to govern the tongues of others?” Nehemiah’s faith gave him clarity and freedom from this burden. Instead of focusing on the words of people, he set his heart on God’s truth and purpose. People may talk, but ultimately, only God’s opinion truly matters.

Nehemiah’s response wasn’t about ignoring advice or input. We all need encouragement, fellowship, and wisdom from others; we’re meant to walk together. But in moments when popular opinion and God’s leading conflict, we must choose faith over the comfort of pleasing others. Nehemiah chose prayer, asking God for strength. He recognized that slander was meant to weaken his hands, but he relied on God’s power, knowing, as we should, that victory is “not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6).

Following God often requires a decision to trust Him above all else. Nehemiah’s example shows that when we root ourselves in God’s purpose, we will receive the strength we need to rise above fear and opposition. By choosing to trust in God’s Spirit over our fear, we find that our hands are strengthened and our work completed.

PRAYER