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How are you?
Several years ago Yohan Blake, Jamaican athlete, established a foundation to assist children in need. Playing on the word sound of his initials, he suggested to children and adults alike, “Y B Afraid? ” I believe he was on to something, that maybe, he got a message from the Lord for many of us.
Today’s Holy nougat sheds some Light on overcoming Fear . . . Savour
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NLT
What could possibly lie at the root of our current impotence? Fear, discouragement, weakness, or loneliness? I would argue Fear. Did you know that far can be reflected as the opposite of Faith? Or that it contradicts Love? So, were you aware that fear has so imprisoned the human spirit through time that the re are 365 direct and indirect “fear not” references in the Bible? That’s 1 for each day of a regular year! That suggests to me that the Lord really wants us to be less than afraid. Really
But here’s the irony. God does not rub our noises in it w when we are afraid. Nor does God insist that we man up. God doesn’t seem to invite us to face or fears, although God takes the business of fear very seriously. Nor does God take advantage of us in our situations of Fear. Actually, God’s approach to Fear is rather consistent.
A. Fear is acknowledged as a spirit, that is, a demonic force, a tactic of the Enemy (n.b. the fear of the Lord is quite different and is possibly what regular Fear seeks to counterfeit ).
B. Fear WILL be displaced by the Presence (read also Spirit) of God.
For, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty
For, God has blessed us with Love, Power and Peace of mind; not Fear
For, even in the Valley of Shadows, God is our Present companion, Fear is vanquished
For, God guarantees that when we cry out because of Fear, the very Presence of God ministers to us by journeying with us. And obviously, Fear CANNOT abide in the Presence of God.
Sounds to me like Fear can be conquered! In fact, it already has been. Hallelujah!
How will we NOW respond when Fear seeks to lurk in our hearts?
Let’s encourage someone with this Blessed Assurance today.
God bless you
