Once, when I was awake at night, wrestling with the spirit of fear I had a vision…I saw myself in a noose and when I fought against the noose, it tightened. Yet, when I relaxed and was peaceful, I was able to slip out of it.
This was a powerful encounter, but also a great reminder.
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
I’ve discussed in the past how peace is a weapon. Gentleness is an active violent weapon of warfare. The kingdom of God often appears opposite of what we expect.
I hear people discuss their struggles with fear and anxiety on a daily basis, but what I don’t hear, is them realizing that it’s a spirit, therefore we have authority to cast it out. When we give anxiety or fear a voice in our life, and when we allow ourselves to become its victim by taking it on as if it’s a personality flaw or something requiring medicine, we give it a stronger foothold. Others even seem to wear fear and anxiety as if it’s some sort of badge that they are proud of…something that makes them “relevant” or something. I can’t fathom it and refuse to agree with that.
Knowing that anxiety and fear are spirits, allows me to fight them when they try to bother me. Most often they come at night. This is no surprise because the enemy wants to steal our rest. Why does he want to do that? Well, because to have a sound mind and sharp reflexes we need rest. Rest is from the Lord. All throughout the writings of Jesus’ time on earth, we see Him retreating for rest moments. He went away to pray. To regain focus. Anxiety and fear are the enemy of focus. Can you now see that the enemy uses fear and anxiety to distract us from being the powerful weapons that God has made us? We are MORE than conquerors. In Christ, we have all victory. If this is true, then what can you do differently? I’m going to tell you.
When the enemy comes snarling at us, the best thing we can do is respond in the opposite spirit.
When fear comes, peace is the answer. When anxiety comes, trusting God for the future is the answer. I have often read that when we fear, it’s because we are imagining a future absent of God. If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll realize this to be true. Next time you feel fear or anxiety over a situation, I challenge you to stop and invite God into the thoughts. Then, thank Him for already being in the future. Thank Him for going ahead and making your way. Remember His name, Jehovah Shammah…God is there. He is in tomorrow. He is in next week. He is in the future and in today. He holds your future in His hands…of course He cares about it. You can trust Him.
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5a
365 Days in the Presence 