SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1044

“Feeding Fear”

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”…You will not fear … Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place… (Psalm 91:1-9)

This devotional is a repost from January 2013. I am prompted to update and publish it again due to circumstances of late in my own life as well as those around me. This past week, my wife was stuck in an elevator – alone. This is one of her worst nightmares and her testimony of how the Lord brought her safely through it is amazing. Others I know are undergoing surgery or anxiously awaiting biopsy results. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you… (Isaiah 41:10)

An acrostic for the word ‘FEAR’ has been defined as False Expectations Appearing Real. False expectations in life feed our fears causing us to worry, distrust and to feebly attempt to control our circumstances. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. – Isaiah 26:3-4

We feed our fears by what we feed our minds. We feed our minds by what we listen to, speak out, and visualize. A steady diet of the nightly news broadcasts will feed our fears. When we speak out negative prognostications we feed the fears of others and reinforce our own. When we visualize the worst case scenarios we begin to expect and believe them giving rise to worry and fretting. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things … and the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:8-9

We cannot escape being bombarded and affected by all that is negative in this fallen world. We can however vaccinate ourselves from fear and worry by keeping our mind stayed on the Lord and to think and speak about the things that bring the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds.…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Phil 4:6

What is it that you fear? Is it sickness, dying, growing old, or losing independence? Do you fear financial loss and failure? Do you fear for your children’s or grandchildren’s future? We become open to fear when we allow ourselves to become distant from God. We become vulnerable to fear when we neglect to daily put on the whole armor of God.

May your mind be protected by the helmet of salvation from whatever it is that you fear. May you be protected by the shield of faith from all that Satan throws at you to feed your fears. May you wield the sword of the spirit by speaking out the Truth of the Word of God to encourage your heart and the hearts of others thereby destroying strongholds of fear through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid…of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence …- Proverbs 3:23-26