Feb 28 2009
Overcoming Fear
If you’ve read Bible passages in Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel or Revelation, you know it says that in the last days men’s hearts will fail them in fear. It details the shaking that will happen on the earth, so that men will wish they were already dead.
I know some say the Rapture will occur before all this occurs, but that’s certainly not guaranteed. So the question is: What do we do when we see these things happening?
First of all, we need to remember that though we will be greatly affected by the things that occur, the judgment that is coming is not pointed toward those who know and love the Lord Jesus with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength. It is aimed at those who have rejected God.
If we are saved, with a personal relationship with Christ, we will no doubt, want to examine our hearts and let go of any secret sin, lest we be included in the judgments that will come. But if our hearts are right with God, He promises to keep us in the day of evil. But how will we keep from being overcome by fear when there is nothing but bad news everywhere we look? By believing in the One who is sovereign, in total control.
I marvel that I am personally not living in terror of what’s ahead, because I used to be the most fearful person I knew. The smallest evil tiding had me losing sleep and living in a state of high anxiety. But then I learned a secret I hadn’t understood before–that my fear was a choice.
God’s Word says repeatedly that we are not to fear, because those who fear are essentially saying God isn’t worthy of their trust, and thereby make the promises of God null and void as far as they are concerned. God tells those who waiver, doubting His keeping power, not to expect anything from Him at all. In fact, their unbelief is the only thing that prevents Him from moving on their behalf.
So what’s the answer–where do we find peace in the middle of the storm? We must simply refuse to give place to fear in our minds. We must meditate on Scripture and the promises of God, and say, “I will believe what He says no matter what I see with my eyes.” And when we do that, He comes to us and fills us with faith and peace, because we have taken that first step, denying fear any place in our lives.
One verse I read says that in the evil day when fire burns all around, the young calf in his pen will frolic and not be afraid. That’s a vivid word picture, isn’t it? Because I live in a rural area, I am often reminded of this verse when I see cows in the fields. While most are lying down or grazing, the young calves are often running and leaping, fearing nothing. And that’s the vision I set before my eyes when I am tempted to be afraid.
Psalms 73: 25 says this: “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from Thee will perish…but as for me, the nearness of God is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy works.”
That says it all. He is our hiding place, our comforter, our strength and our refuge during times of trouble. So we can rejoice no matter what happens, knowing our God is in control, and He knows the way we take. If we stand on the Word and stay focused on His promises, we as believers can live without fear no matter what happens. And what could be better than that?
Because of His great love,
Nancy
