FEAR NOT

Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

In the animal kingdom, fear can freeze the prey of a larger animal on the hunt. This allows the larger animal (tiger, lion, etc.) to attack and devour the hunted. The enemy of our souls, satan and his cohorts, is on the hunt for those of us who know the King of all Kings, Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Some have said that F.E.A.R.= False Evidence Appearing Real
Wow!  Think about it: false evidence of disease, destruction, death, and other disturbing thoughts that spin a web of lies inside our minds so that our heart trembles at these images. What will happen to us tomorrow? How can we afford this setback? How long before I (we) lose everything: my health, my job, my family, my friends, my reputation? Do you ever ‘hear’ these accusations in your mind: “If only you hadn’t done ______; now that this has happened, _______” or, “I will just have to hang on ___; I’ve lost all hope of ever ____; I can’t ever go back ___; things will never change___; I give up ___; I just can’t do it any more ___.”  Well, these are all part of that web of lies that the enemy has concocted to keep us imprisoned.  Yes, imprisoned!  But, the TRUTH is, Jesus Christ has already taken all our sicknesses, diseases, weakness, lack, trauma, anxiety, depression, and sin away from us at the cross.  His blood was perfectly shed to remove all our sins, transgressions, and iniquities.  His body was beaten, scourged and bruised to provide complete healing for us.  His body was ‘broken’ so ours could be ‘whole.’  Our spirit has been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross.  Our mind (soul) can be free of any oppression by the daily ‘washing of the water of the Word of God’. (Ephesians 5:26)
When we speak the scriptures out loud, we are washing our minds with the cleansing water of the Word of God.  It is healing and restores peace to our hearts.  When we hear the scriptures spoken, our faith is increased in hope!

Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Isaiah 26:3 (TLB)
He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!
This is a key which brings peace to our minds: turning our thoughts to the Lord.  How can we do that? By consciously saying scripture out loud, by praying in the spirit, and by refusing to respond to the web of lies that the devil is trying to weave in our minds, we can be at peace.
In Matthew 1:20, the angel said to Joseph: “fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”
The Greek word for fear in this verse is phobeo, which means: to fear, be afraid, alarmed.  It is similar to our English word, phobia, which means: an irrational, excessive, and persistent fear of some particular thing or situation.
How can we FEAR NOT in these days of uncertainty and unknown outcomes? How can we have PEACE and JOY daily?  How can we rejoice in the Lord always?

Philippians 4:6-8 (ESV)
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8 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.

We can choose what we think about.  We can choose to trust the LORD.  We can declare the truth about what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross.  We can use our spiritual authority to silence the enemy against his mental onslaughts. Is this easy to do all by ourselves?  No, sometimes it isn’t.  However, we can come together with another like- minded believer and search the scriptures to find those that nourish our souls.  The Holy Spirit will guide us.  We can use the sword of the spirit, the Word of God, and stand, and speak these powerful truths into our situations.  Remember, “It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34).  We are not alone, and Jesus said He would never leave or forsake us. He has given us His peace, and repeatedly says: “Let not your heart be troubled.” (John 14:1)

John 14:27 (AMP)
Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]
This is a great verse to type, copy, paste, print, read, put on your desktop or mobile device and say out loud each day.  Before you know it, you will have it memorized!  Jesus is always interceding for us (those who have called upon the name of the Lord – Romans 10:13). He kept telling His disciples to “fear not” because in Him was all peace and joy.

John 16:33 (CEB)
I’ve said these things to you so that you will have peace in me. In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.”
God is love (1 John 4:8), and perfect love casts out fear. His love for us is perfect.

1 John 4:18 (NKJV)
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV)

So, let us be encouraged!! Let’s Fear NOT!! The Lord will strengthen us and hold us up. We have been given power over the enemy’s lies and our minds are sound and full of love from the Father.
 ~Joanne