What To Do When Fear Won’t Shut Up | How To Get Confidence Back

Psalm 27

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Turn to the person on your right and say, “I hate to admit it, but I lost my confidence.” Many of us didn’t lose confidence because we stopped caring or believing. Instead, we lost it because what we relied on for stability began to falter. The source of our security stopped functioning. The pace shifted, pressure intensified, and situations became more complex. Trusted people let us down. The difficult season prolonged beyond expectations. Suddenly, fear turned into doubt—doubt in ourselves, the future, and even in God’s plans for us. This week, we will take a deep look at the question: How do I get my confidence back when my life feels shaky?

  1. Share about a time when you had to do something that required confidence, but you felt nervous or unsure. What helped you push through in that moment?
  2. What does it look like when you lose confidence in life?
  3. In this sermon, Pastor James talked about how many people have “lost their confidence” – not their faith, but their confidence in life. What do you think is the difference between losing faith and losing confidence?
  4. Pastor James mentioned that losing confidence often makes us “cautious,” “quieter,” and “smaller” – we still show up but don’t step out. Can you think of examples where you’ve seen this in your own life or others?
  5. Pastor James described Psalm 27 as being written “not from a calm place” but “in the middle of threat.” Why do you think it’s significant that David wrote about confidence while still facing danger?
  6. Read Psalm 27:1-3. David asks “whom shall I fear?” and “of whom shall I be afraid?” – but then acknowledges real enemies and armies. How can someone be confident while still recognizing genuine threats?
  7. In Psalm 27:4, David says “One thing I ask from the LORD.” If you were in David’s situation – surrounded by enemies and uncertainty – what would your “one thing” be? What does David’s answer reveal about where he places his confidence?
  8. Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. These verses say that believers in Jesus are temples of the Holy Spirit. Read Psalm 27:4 again. In light of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, what does it mean to “seek him in his temple”?
  9. Pastor James explained that David moves from saying “I will be confident” (verse 3) to “I remain confident” (verse 13). What do you think happened between those two statements that helped David’s confidence return?
  10. Pastor James taught four main principles from this psalm:
    • Choose confidence before you feel confident – confidence is a choice, not a feeling.
    • Don’t dodge the fear, finish the thought – in the end, God is still there!
    • Put your confidence where it belongs – the pressure is heavy, but God is stronger
    • Work the fear into worship – name the fear, find the lie, replace it with worship

Which of these stands out to you most and why?

  1. When discussing worship as a response to fear, the pastor said: “When fear hits you, don’t just ask ‘What am I afraid of?’ Ask, ‘What is this fear trying to make me believe about God?'” How might this question change the way you handle anxious thoughts?
  2. David declares in Psalm 27:10, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.” What does it mean to you personally that God receives you, especially in moments when you feel abandoned or rejected by others?
  3. Pastor James mentioned that confidence isn’t a feeling you wait for, but “a decision you make, and it’s a place you choose to stand.” How does this challenge the way you’ve thought about confidence in the past?

Action Steps

This week, when you notice fear or anxiety rising, practice the pastor’s suggestion: “Name the fear. Find the lie. Replace it with worship.” Choose one specific fear you’re dealing with and work through this process.

Prayer

“God, I’ll be honest – there are areas where my confidence has been shaken. I’ve been putting my trust in things that can’t really hold the weight of my soul, and I’ve let fear whisper lies about who You are. Help me to relocate my confidence back to You, where it belongs. When fear tries to tell me You won’t come through, remind me that You are my light, my salvation, and my stronghold. Teach me to turn my fears into worship, and help me choose confidence in You even when I don’t feel it yet. I want to see Your goodness in my life, even in the hard seasons. Thank you for receiving me, even when I’m struggling. Help me to wait for You with strength and hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”