Jerica: What is fear? It is a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil or pain, whether the threat is real or imagined. Also, apprehension, dismay, or horror.
What does fear do to you? It can cause anxiety, irritation, sleepiness, sleeplessness. It can truly mess up your day! It is similar to worry- to feel or experience concern.
Why should we not fear? Its not in our spirit.1 Timothy 1:7 says 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. He gives us power to get through things. Fear and power dont reside in the same place! Fear moves over when power comes in!
So, what shall we do? Phillipians 14:6-8 tells us two things; pray and think of other things!
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Ephesians 6:10-18 talks about the full armor of God. And in that armor includes a shield- a shield of faith!
Imani: the other night, my daughter was asleep with me in my bed. Around 3am she wakes up screaming and crying and literally throws her arms around me neck and holds on tight. It scared me because it was so sudden and it woke me up! Something scared my baby so bad that she didn’t want to go back to sleep. As I rocked and kissed my baby, all I kept repeating to her was “in the name of Jesus, everything is ok”. And I held her close until her breathing slowed down, and the tears stopped flowing. I got up and turned on the light and the Lord led me to Ephesians 6:10-18. As I read it to my daughter I was reminded that spiritual warfare is real, and the devil will use whatever tactics to kill you. And that made me mad. Devil get your filthy hands up off of my child. So that made me pray even harder that night. I prayed hard, because our lives depend on it. And I reminded my 1.5 yr old (because she does understand) that in those times of fear, you better call on Jesus! Ask for his protection, his covering, and you tell that devil to get back underneath your feet because that is where he belongs. And that is what we have to do, daily. Never let fear paralyze you to the point you can’t even call on God.
