Recognize the Spirit of Fear

In my old life (my B.C. life!), the spirit of fear was super apparent. I had no problem recognizing it or the symptoms of panic and anxiety that accompanied it. The most intense moments, filled with an almost suffocating panic, came with the actual presence of darkness. I was truly terrified! Even when I wasn’t in the Church, I knew what I sensed was supernatural and definitely not from above. I’m certain though that level of intensity is why I struggle to see that same spirit in the lesser things now.

But we must be wiser than our adversary, his bag of tools is much smaller than we give him credit for. He tends to use the same weapon over and over, just with a different tactic (or battle plan). Pay attention to how and WHY you react to certain situations the way that you do. Many times, to some degree, fear is the source of our ungodly reactions.

This past week brought me to a realization of just that. I was overwhelmed by several situations, and I allowed myself to be consumed by meaningless “what ifs”; You know, the dramatic events we imagine in our heads that never play out the same way. Fear was there in my questioning, in my worrying and (yep!) in my controlling tendencies – I just didn’t recognize it (or feel it) like I used to. It wasn’t an obvious sense of fear.

I never considered that my excessive tendency to over-analyze and over-organize stemmed from fear, but several times this week Jesus reminded me that anything other than peace and perfect love is not of Him. [Shout out to my Pastor: thank you for always being a mouthpiece for the Lord to speak through!] 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.” How true – there is such torment in worrying and in trying to control everything. It’s actually exhausting, both mentally and physically!

In 1 Peter 5:6-7, scripture commands us to “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Notice the sequence of that sentence. “Humble yourselves” is the present tense commandment, which is then followed by a future pretense of “casting all your care upon him.” In the kingdom of God, there is order to everything! If we can’t put ourselves aside, it will be impossible to cast ALL of our cares upon Jesus – even the smallest ones!

Lord, help me to have a humble spirit. Let there not be fear in my life, let only your peace and perfect love overflow out of me. You are my rock, my provider, and my stronghold! I love you, Jesus and I praise Your Holy name!