Fear and faith both demand belief in something Meaning Factcheck Usage
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Fear and faith both demand belief in something we cannot see. It’s a powerful reminder that we get to choose which force we empower in our lives. This choice is the fundamental pivot point for resilience and courage.

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Table of Contents

Meaning

At its core, this quote is about agency. It’s the radical idea that when you’re standing in the unknown, you have a choice about what you’re going to believe in—the possibility of failure or the possibility of growth.

Explanation

Let’s break this down, because it’s deceptively simple. Both fear and faith are bets you place on a future you can’t control. Fear says, “I believe something bad is going to happen.” Faith says, “I believe I can handle what happens, or that something good might come from it.” The energy you feed is the one that grows. I’ve seen this play out so many times—in my own work and with clients. When you choose faith, you’re not choosing a guarantee. You’re choosing a mindset that is open, curious, and resilient, which fundamentally changes your trajectory. You’re betting on your own capacity to rise.

Quote Summary

ContextAttributes
Original LanguageEnglish (3668)
CategorySpiritual (229)
Topicsfaith (73), fear (92)
Literary Styleaphoristic (181)
Emotion / Mooddetermined (116), reassuring (55)
Overall Quote Score82 (297)
Reading Level35
Aesthetic Score85

Origin & Factcheck

This is a direct quote from the incredible Brené Brown’s 2017 book, Rising Strong as a Spiritual Practice. You’ll sometimes see it misattributed to Joel Osteen or other spiritual leaders, but it’s unequivocally from Brené’s work, rooted in her decades of research on vulnerability and courage.

Attribution Summary

ContextAttributes
AuthorBrene Brown (257)
Source TypeBook (4032)
Source/Book NameRising Strong as a Spiritual Practice (39)
Origin Timeperiod21st Century (1892)
Original LanguageEnglish (3668)
AuthenticityVerified (4032)

Author Bio

Dr Brene Brown is the author of books such as Daring Greatly and The Power of Vulnerability. The TED talk and Netflix production based on her research reached out to millions of audience. She researches effects of courage and vulnerability in shaping people's work and relationships. She leads the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and provides evidence-based insights into practical tools to help people train themselves
Official Website |Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube |

Where is this quotation located?

QuotationFear and faith both demand belief in something we cannot see. Choose faith
Book DetailsPublication Year: 2017; ISBN: Unknown (based on her talk and workbook materials); Length: ~60 pages (lecture adaptation, Sounds True audio transcript).
Where is it?Section: Faith Over Fear, Approximate Page 62

Authority Score95

Context

In the book, this isn’t just a nice sentiment. It’s a critical piece of the “Rising Strong” process—that moment after you’ve faced a setback or a fall. It’s the spiritual and practical hinge point where you decide if you’re going to let the story fear is telling you define your reality, or if you’re going to have faith in a different, more hopeful ending.

Usage Examples

This is where the rubber meets the road. Think about a founder pitching a new venture—the fear of rejection is palpable, but choosing faith in their vision is what gets them in the room. Or a leader navigating a company through uncertainty—fear says to bunker down, faith says to innovate and trust the team. It’s for anyone—artists, parents, students—standing at the edge of a new beginning and feeling that familiar chill of doubt. The audience is anyone with a pulse, really.

To whom it appeals?

ContextAttributes
ThemeAdvice (652)
Audiencesbelievers (72), leaders (2619), students (3111), teachers (1125)
Usage Context/Scenariodaily meditations (5), faith gatherings (9), motivational videos (53), self-help courses (13), spiritual quotes (1)

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Motivation Score95
Popularity Score90
Shareability Score95

FAQ

Question: Isn’t this just blind optimism?

Answer: Not at all. Blind optimism ignores reality. This is a conscious choice made with eyes wide open to the risks, but with a commitment to not be paralyzed by them.

Question: How do you actually “choose” faith when you’re terrified?

Answer: It starts with a tiny, almost microscopic action. It’s not a grand gesture. It’s sending the email you’re scared to send, making the one phone call, taking the first small step. Action is the antidote to the paralysis of fear.

Question: What if I choose faith and still fail?

Answer: Then you’ve learned something. Failure becomes data, not destiny. Choosing faith means you trust your ability to get back up—to “rise strong”—which is a success in itself.

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