Here is how you can use God’s way to overcome fear in these times of great recession…
Do you remember the time in January at the beginning of 2009? The time when the new leader of the world’s biggest economy took office after his spectacular victory in the November elections? President Barack Obama had just arrived new on the world scene. What was it like for all Americans in particular and for the people of many other countries having to face the recession that had taken over their lives?
What began as financial crashes with banks and loan companies folding up escalated into house mortgages being traded at the New York stock exchange at not even 10% of their original value. Gas prices were rising and terrorism was its peak after the Mumbai attacks. There was unrest everywhere; people were frightened. In short, people were paralysed by fear.
According to the Bible, it is the enemy’s job (Satan) to get you to concentrate on the things happening around you, to get you to pay attention to words of fear and despair so that he can bring the very same things you fear to pass in your life. As we said the other day, Satan is still the prince of the world. His job is to steal, kill and destroy.
There is no better time to whip the devil by getting rid of this evil force called fear.
Fear is also an equally powerful spiritual force like Faith. If faith is the evidence of things hoped for, fear is the substance of things not hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Both operate using the same spiritual laws; the sad part is they are reciprocal to each other. Only one can be present at a given time. When you are concerned too much about preserving yourself, you have rejected the divine preservation that God has promised.
Fear can rearrange things in your life to cause havoc just as faith can bring peace and harmony to restore the balance. Because faith is to operate in God’s system which is of love, faith will operate only when the love of God is in operation. What is the love of God? It is the total absence of selfishness, unforgiveness, jealousy and strife. You can believe in Him as much as want and still operate in fear when you have running in you any of the negative traits mentioned. Fear will block the love of god (faith) to bring about the results you want.
Here’s what you can do. Be honest and search for those areas in your life that you fear most about. Are they your finances, your possessions or strife with others? Find the scriptures (promises) that relate to the things you fear. Meditate on them daily. Confess the Word given in those scriptures eight, nine or ten times a day. Walk in God’s love towards others, so that selfishness is destroyed. Fear will have no entry to come in.
Isaiah 41: 10 says “Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, and I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Psalms 91: 1- 16 begins by saying “He who lives in the secret place of the Most High shall always abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
2 Timothy 1: 7 says “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind.”
Ephesians 6:11 says “Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the viles of the devil.”
Philippians 4: 19 says “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.”
We must truly believe only in the love that God has for us. When we believe and accept His love, then His love will banish fear. He will surely protect us from any hurt, harm or danger. No Wall Street crash or Mumbai terrorist attack will affect us in any way.
Fear of any kind gives Satan free access to all areas of our lives. His is a demonic spirit and we should not allow him to penetrate into us. And only the love of God or the Word of God can achieve this for us. We only have to keep working on it all the time.
Why? Because fear tolerated is faith contaminated!
Bible commentator: Sunder Venkataram, Thane.
I’m a situation that I need advice on. Im a christian and am having problems with nightmares and and terrified to go to sleep. I tried to through out all of my stuffed animals last night but I haven’t gone to sleep because I am terrified to have nightmares. Please give me advice. Thank you. -danielle, Virginia age 13
It is so easy Danielle. You say you are a Christian. So you already know about the power of the Word in the Bible. First, if you are not saved, go ahead and say the Sinner’s prayer. I have written about it a few weeks ago. Once you have made Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life, it becomes easy. You just have to take authority over these nightmare who are nothing but demons trying to torment you. If you have nightmares that wake you up, relax for a moment and say it out loudly ” In the name of Jesus, I take authority over you demons. Go. Get away from me.” After a few minutes you will find peace. You should thank God then. And go back to asleep. As you said, remove all the stuffed animals, pictures and more. Instead keep a bowl of water with fresh flowers every now and then. Do not scared when the nightmares return the next night. Do the same proclaiming of calling your authority. Give Jesus a few days when you were willing to give the devil many years.