One of my spiritual mentors reminded me of this shift: There is a difference between faith in the outcome I am dictating to God and faith in God himself. 

Faith in God’s character. Faith in who he is. Faith that he is good all the time. Faith that he is never scared or confused. Faith that he’s not playing a game of chess with me. Faith that he is forgiving even when I don’t feel like it. Faith that he knows what is best for me even when I don’t. Faith that he is my friend. Faith that he became human to save us.

“You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear’” (Lamentations 3:57). 

When you are overcoming fears with faith, it is faith in a personal, relational Savior. A real being. Not faith in an idea or a hoped-for place of happiness. Those are slippery. 

Evaluate your prayer life. Don’t be afraid to ask God for the impossible. Then have faith more in his character and person than the impossible coming true. 

Consider your worship life. Give it a boost by adjusting your expectations. Rather than worshiping as a consumer whose needs must be met, worship as a friend of God who is delighted to spend time with him. 

Calm your fears. Catch yourself spinning in mental circles of what if this or that, and instead ask, “What if God truly keeps his promises to me?” And he does. In person.