People are living in a day and age (crazy world) that millions upon millions of people live in anxiety and fear and don’t see a way out of it. But, did you know, that this is exactly what and where the devil wants you to be? It is real easy to be in anxiety and fear when we look around the world at the chaos and hatred out there Where we don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow, or even what is happening today. If you have anxiety and fear then most likely you know they can be relentless.
I want to talk about this today because for many of us who have dealt with anxiety and fear it can seem to cripple us from living in the light of God. Being in anxiety and fear can keep us in bed, cripple us from getting out, and keep us from doing what God wants us to do. Fear is not of God and neither is anxiety. The devil loves to use these weapons against us because it keeps us from living like God wants us to live. How much is too much anxiety? How much is too much fear? Well, the Bible has something to say on this: “God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability” (1 Corinthians 10:13), and this includes the sinful unbelief of an anxious heart. One of the best ways to rid yourself of the fear that is plaguing you is to turn to Scripture. Here are some Bible verses that remind us God is in control.
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Oh, how we wish, for us, that reading a verse in the Bible would just magically take away our pain from the things of life. Do we fail to see the truth of God’s word? To claim God’s word we need to keep putting it inside of us. Say them over and over, claim them for your life. Pick them apart and find healing in them. God is, through this verse, imparting to each of us that we don’t need to fear…and we should not fear. Fear not! When we go and fear over everything we actually short-circuit our prayers and blessings that God wants us to have. I don’t care how many times you must read the verse…but keep reading it, applying it to your life, and know that it is not now, nor ever, God’s will you live in fear or anxiety.
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
God wants us to take refuge in Him…and not the world. The world cannot ease your soul. In God we find a safe place and comfort when nothing else can comfort us. If only people would all understand that when we ask God to place us in His refuge we find a safe place. Many of us will go through hard, difficult times, and some overwhelming times…but no this: There is no situation we will ever face that is out of God’s control, so the best place to be, always, is right with Him. I want to be in His control even when things are going great. I sure don’t want to face even one moment without Him.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Oh, how we wish that life was easy and there were no problems in our life. Life seems to bring overwhelming anxiety doesn’t it. You go down the road and then “wham” something unexpected hits, sickness comes, sorrow comes, lost love comes, there are job losses, financial ills, and anything else that just pops its ugly head your way. We all have stuff happen in our life we wish we didn’t have. The life of faith is filled with constant challenge to risk more to become our true selves. Yet, we must learn to stand on the word of God no matter what we see in the world. The world can’t define us…we must not allow it. It is difficult to not be anxious as we look around at this crazy world we are now living. Keep praying and don’t stop Ask God what you need to ask. Present your case to Him on everything and ask Him to help you get through this time in your life. God can give you peace where you can find it nowhere else. Let Jesus guard your heart and mind and comfort you.
1 John 4:18
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The One who fears is not made perfect in love.”
Let us learn to drive out the fear that builds up in our mind and heart. Let us go to the one who is perfect and declare and decree from Him that we don’t have to live in anxiety and fear any longer. He is perfect and we are His children. He doesn’t want us to live in fear any longer. No longer live in fear paralyzed by it and also the fear of judgment. Stand on God’s word all the time, declare God’s word over your situation, and drive that fear right out the door and into the abyss.
Psalm 94:19
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19
I don’t know about you or how you have dealt with things this year. So many are struggling and fearful. Their life has been uprooted by the things that have taken place.
………So, you have been going through difficult times. That is just about everyone this year. We see America going under horrible things: riots, looting, people being killed, shot, raped, beat up…and this covid thing and we can get scared at what we see. Anxiety rears its ugly head and depression comes. It has been a year like no other on a large scale in many years. Even during all of this God wants you to find peace in Him. To trust Him that no matter what you see He is still in control of the universe. God can bring joy to your soul even during times when you’re most anxious by simply knowing that He’s present and trusting in His power.
Luke 12:22-26
“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
God is in control of the biggies and the smallest of things. He knows you. He knows what you need so just talk to Him. We don’t have to worry about all the little things that come up. Don’t get off track but stay focused on Jesus at all times. He will help get your through the storms of life. His boat is big enough to get you to the other side. Worry doesn’t change anything. It is time to cast your cares on God and then trust in His wisdom. God can help you. Give Him each and every day, pray, stand on His word and you will be victorious.
Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”
People call on the Lord when they are in trouble or having problems…but why not call upon the Lord in the good times? Call upon God each and every day and stand on His word in your life. There is no cubby God can’t get into to help you with…unless you, yourself, keep Him out of it. Ask God to dismantle all the strongholds in your life and fill you with His light and His strength. He won’t turn His kids down when they are honest with Him and truly ask Him into their life. We can always trust God in each and every situation.
Revelation 1:17
“Then He placed His right hand on me and said: Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.”
“Do not be afraid” This is what we need to hear in these days when many of us are so anxious. We get up each day and look at what is going on in our country and many say, “How could this happen?” So many people are anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, oppressed, and living in fear. Whenever there is trouble in the world…people fear, get anxious, panic, and flip out. We wonder what in the world is going to happen to us, our spouse, our kids, our relatives, our friends and neighbors, our co-workers, and the people all over our country? We wonder what will happen to those out there that protect us. Fear is real and so many are going through it right now with the state of America and the hatred. Many just hate out there and do all they can to destroy America. We fear! But the good thing is we can go to God and give Him each day and ask Him to get us through this day…one day at a time…without fear. Fear is not of God! One of the best ways to combat two of the enemy’s weapon of fear and anxiety is through the power of Scripture. Read God’s Word, and repeatedly immerse yourself in it. The more you read, the better you will understand His Word and the truth found in it. While fear may continue to show up for you, when you acknowledge and truly believe God is in control, fear and anxiety will no longer paralyze you. Each day….give it to God. Lean on Him for He holds our help and the answers we need.
Fear is not of God. Don’t allow it to take over your life.
Today, is 9/11/2020. Nineteen years ago today our country was thrown into turmoil. Horrible, evil people tried to take down America and destroy our way of life. Everything changed that day. Do you remember? I remember. I also remember how people came together and it brought out the very best in people. People cared for people. People did things to help other people. I remember the sights and sounds of that day like they were today. The pain and suffering of my fellow Americans dying at the hands of the enemy. I remember the promises people made and that they would never forget what happened. I look around today at the enemy in our country again…different form…same enemy. Why don’t we stand united today and take back America? Why are we allowing the enemy to destroy us? We must come together in America and take our country back, our marriages back, our family back, our schools back, our jobs back, and start standing up for what is right and not allow this evil back in our country. Don’t sit and wonder what happened…how did this problem come to America…you be part of the solution and get into God’s word, fight in the spirit, and ask God to show you exactly what to do to be part of the solution. Don’t fear though as it gets you no where. Stand on God’s word, pray, believe, and be a doer. God doesn’t want us to live in fear but in victory. When God is on our side and we do as He says…we will have the victory. So Don’t fear! Stand on scripture and stand against evil in every form.