June 5 Faith over Fear

Corry Chambers
Shepherdess,
Women's Ministries Director CIC

 Theme: Breaking Free: Releasing the Past for a Brighter Future

Scripture Focus: Job 11:13–18 (NKJV)
“If you would prepare your heart, and stretch out your hands toward Him… Then you would surely forget your trouble, like waters that have passed away, and your life would be brighter than noonday. Though you were dark, you would be like the morning. And you would be secure, because there is hope.”

There comes a time in every woman’s life when she must decide whether to be bound by the past or to trust God for a better future. 

For some of us, the past has been paved with pain, hardship, and rejection. Growing up with lack and uncertainty can form invisible shackles that try to hold us back but beloved sister, when faith rises, fear must flee. We often worry: What if I’m not good enough? What if I mess up? We are swamped with the fear of feeling unloved, left out, or abandoned in relationships, friendships, or family. I am here to let you know that you should not despair because faith reminds us: God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). We may be faced with fears about tomorrow, our children, our finances, our health. But faith reminds us that God has a plan, not just a plan but a perfect plan for us.(Jeremiah 29:11).

As a child, my family faced extreme financial difficulties that I am now only able to see as I have a mother who fought for us and we were always a happy family. One of the most vivid image that is difficult to erase from my mind is the stress that my mom faced when it was back to school time in August leading up to September. I recall her being stressed to the point that her right hand was not functioning sufficiently to even comb our hair. It seemed to me at that time that she was mildly paralyzed from the neck all the way down to her fingers. But she never gave up. She exercised faith over fear. She prayed, she cried, she worked and God provided!

My mother, with limited resources and constant provision from God, did her best to keep us afloat.
Life was hard—but faith made the impossible, possible. Every achievement we experienced came by trusting God for provision we could not see. My high school journey was not planned by logic—it was orchestrated by grace. God raised up people—teachers, taxi drivers, church family members who became my extended family—just when I needed them most. I remember being asked by my classmates if I wasn't buying lunch. I ate what I had and made myself contented. This didn't prevent my learning and accomplishments as I graduated top of my class- to God be the glory!

After graduation, I stood at another crossroads. What's next! My mom could not afford college and I never had confirmation or any indication that my father would support me. One of my mother's friends, told her that a local school was looking for a pre-trained teacher. My heart raced with anxiety and self-doubt when my mom came home and told me the news, but I stepped out in faith. I didn’t have a professional resume—just a sheet from an old exercise book- some of you will know the one with the picture of the eagle on it. Still, I woke up early, walked two miles to the main road, and trekked another three miles to the school when taxis were not prevalent. When I arrived, I was sent back by the principal to deliver the application to the school board chairman. I felt fearful, rejected and hopeless. The school board chairman rebuked me over my resume presentation, but I handed it over anyway. Faith pressed on, even when fear whispered, “Turn back.”

To my surprise, I was told to return to work the very next day. But instead of joy, I was overwhelmed by the physical and emotional weight of the journey. I told my mother I couldn’t do it. I cried. She prayed. And she reminded me: “God didn’t bring you this far to leave you now.”

With trembling faith, I returned. Fearful of the unknown, fearful of what I would bring to the table as a young girl straight out of High School but God rewarded my obedience—not instantly with ease, but progressively with provision and success after success as a pre- trained teacher. First, through trucks traveling the route to repair the road that transported me for free, then through taxis that began running regularly, savings that allowed me to initiate my college journey and many others successes that I will not mention. What once seemed like a mountain became manageable. What started in fear ended in favor. I am not defined by my past but is motivated by where God has planted me in the present. 

Job 11:13–18 paints a powerful picture of release and renewal. Zophar speaks of preparing your heart, stretching out your hands to God, and letting go of iniquity and fear. The result? “You would forget your trouble, like waters that have passed away… and your life would be brighter than noonday.”

That’s the beauty of trusting God—you may start in darkness, but if you walk in obedience, hope will light your way.
Isaiah 43:18–19 reminds us to; “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” God wants to do something new in your life—but you must release what’s behind to reach for what’s ahead.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV) commands us to “Trust in the Lord with all our heart, and lean not on our own understanding; in all our ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct our paths.” Make this your daily affirmation by inserting the pronoun “I” where applicable.
Faith often looks foolish before the breakthrough. But trusting God brings direction and divine connections.

Today I ask you:
1. What past experience or hardship is still holding you back from stepping into what God has for you?
2. Is there an area in your life where God is asking you to take a leap of faith?
3. How can you prepare your heart and stretch out your hands to Him this week?

Let us pray

Father, Thank You for being the God who sees me, hears me, and provides even when I feel overlooked or unworthy. Help me to break free from the fear and pain of my past. I surrender my journey to You. Guide my steps and give me courage to walk in faith. May my life shine brighter than the noonday sun as I follow You. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Sister, know this: When God aligns your path, no rejection, lack, or fear can stop what He has ordained. Let go. Leap forward. Your brighter future awaits.