Choose Faith Over Fear

The spirit of fear will paralyze us from stepping out in faith.

In March of 2007 my band and I were in Ghana, West Africa, on a worship tour singing for crowds of up to 64,000. Before the trip, I was so busy as a music executive that I had very little time to prepare myself spiritually. Knowing that I should have contacted friends to cover us in prayer, I instead said a few hurried, solitary prayers while on the long flight to Africa.

Once on the ground, I quickly realized that the spiritual atmosphere in Ghana was intense and we desperately needed God’s power flowing through us to see real breakthroughs in people’s lives. So I called as many prayer teams around the U.S. as I could and asked them to intercede for us.

God was faithful and anointed our worship, and many people were healed. But after the trip, I felt like one of the disciples Jesus had to rebuke for a lack of faith and preparation.

Nearly all the musicians, including myself, battled serious illnesses. I cried out to God and repented for my sin, asking Him to help me find a way to put my call as a worship leader back into a place of primary importance in my life.

To be honest, I did not know how it would be possible given the demands of my job. I had responsibilities, and along with them came a paycheck, great benefits and stability for my family.

Walking away from a comfortable career at age 56 seemed completely irresponsible, and the thought of it produced tremendous anxiety in me. I had near-panic attacks and difficulty breathing.

I was so entrenched in my career that God had to shake things up for me to even contemplate a change. Through a series of unique circumstances, it became clear to me and my associates at Integrity Music that it was time for me to go. So I submitted my resignation and launched out into unknown waters as a self-employed worshiper.

I had a choice to make when I considered changing careers: to either resist God’s clear leading, or choose to trust Him and walk by faith. I chose the latter, but it wasn’t easy.

The biggest battle I’ve faced in believing God has more for me is the spirit of fear. The spirit of fear will paralyze us from stepping out in faith.

Since I became a follower of Jesus, I can honestly say that I have made every effort to live by faith. Some days I do much better than others. However, the biblical story of Caleb, who at age 85 still believed he had the strength to go into battle (see Josh. 14:10-11), inspires me to press ahead with the same vigor I had as a young man.

Why? Because God still has much more for me to do. He wants to complete the good work He began in my life many years ago by giving me tasks that will continue to mold me more closely into the image of Christ. So, in a spiritual sense, I don’t believe in retirement. Until my last breath, God will be at work in me, and His work will be what touches people for eternity.

Having walked through some significant storms in recent times, I still feel hopeful that God does have great things ahead. And this joyful hope is not just for me. It’s for all of us.

Everywhere I go, believing there is more is a theme that resonates with people. Around the world, folks are sensing that God has more for them to do. Even people who have been very successful are saying these words.

Many in the body of Christ are wondering where they are going with their lives. There are successful people out there wondering if God is finished with them.

I encourage you to choose faith over fear today. Choose to release all the reasons why you can’t do something. Choose to trust in God’s unfailing love and in His purposeful activity in your life. Choose to believe that He still has much more for you.

Don Moen is a platinum-selling recording artist, worship leader and prolific songwriter known for praise choruses such as “God Will Make a Way” and “God Is Good All the Time.” Moen is the founder of The Don Moen Company and a former president of Integrity Music. He lives in Nashville, Tenn.