The Perfect Antidote for Death, Fear and Worries
We are living in an age where fear and worry, if we allow them to, could reign in our lives. On every hand the causes and reasons for worry and fear appear! Our present and future are filled with tribulations and darkness, our families are facing major problems, sickness is a threat, and on and on the reasons for worry and fear arise. No one on earth is immune to trials. Our Lord and Savior tells us the truth about the world! “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
God’s Spirit indwelling us through Christ, is the only power that is greater than all the forces of evil controlling ruler of the world situation. God says: “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world.” To be born again of God’s Spirit is a choice that determines for us life (in God) or death (separation from God)!! “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you (CHRIST) is greater than he (SATAN) who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Jesus says, “in me you will have peace!” Christ is our prince of peace and sovereign of the world. “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
The word of God answers the question: who can overcome the world and all of its tribulations. “Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5). “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith” (1 John 5:4). GOD’S WORD IS INFALLIBLE!”
The power of God in the person of Jesus Christ must dwell in us, and we must make him “Lord” of our lives to be victorious over the powers of evil that seek to destroy us. All mankind should praise and worship God for His salvation and for the Spiritual rebirth into the family of God that gives us the power to be conquerors and victors over all evil. All we have to do is repent of our sins and ask Jesus Christ to come in and be Lord and master of our lives. At the moment we are forgiven, cleansed, and have made Christ Lord and ruler of our life, we become “children of God and joint heirs with Christ!” Our inheritance through Christ touches every area of our lives. When we are reborn our present and our future are in the hands of our loving heavenly father. Jesus tells us: “The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
Abundant and eternal life can only be obtained through the indwelling Christ and His overcoming power. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6). Many do not understand that choosing Christ as “Lord” of our life is the only way to be born of the Spirit of Christ so we can receive God’s power, wisdom, and Spiritual understanding to comprehend the things of God. The presence of God within us overcomes the world and the evil in it. God reveals more and more of himself and His power as we seek Him and separate ourselves from the sins of the world. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20). God says He works in us according to the amount of power that dwells in us. Therefore, it is our responsibility to stay filled with His Spirit by asking God daily to fill us with His Spirit and by daily praying and reading the bible.
God Himself tells us not to: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet” (Matthew 7:6). God will not continue to pour His great blessings upon a person who turns away from His Lordship and again dabbles in the world system. I know from experience that the world holds nothing of eternal value! Nothing compares to the glorious blessings, opportunities, and plans God has for us through Jesus Christ. In Christ we live in a world of God’s great possibilities. God’s plans for our lives have eternal values and rewards. Nothing is impossible with God.
Through God we are more than conquerors. “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). We are not immune to the destructions of Satan. In fact, we are his target. We are called and chosen to build God’s kingdom, and to lead Satan’s victims to Christ. Satan wants us to believe we are helpless against him. Wrong!!! God has given us every weapon, every Spiritual gift, and all the power and authority necessary to hold the forces of hell in abeyance. All we need is “faith” in the omnipotent power of Christ; for He is God. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
One day while I was riding in the car with my husband, out of nowhere came a strong fear that my marriage was going to be broken. This thought was not based on any suspicion, fact, or previous worry. Torment seized me and would not turn loose. Silently I began to pray for the Lord’s help. The smile came off my face and my joy was gone as I helplessly entertained the uninvited evil imagination. After I came home I took the matter to Christ and God’s word began to flood my being. “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” (1 John 4:18).
I knew I had been gripped by crippling torment so I recognized that a Spirit of “fear” was definitely present in my attack. I began to examine the strength of my belief in God’s love for me. I knew God’s love had never failed me, and even though I have sinned or failed Him , there was never any lessening of His great love. I knew His love is perfect and His love never fails. I began to express the power, strength, and unbreakable bond of God’s love, and I felt His presence and strength begin to fill my being.
I learned that day that knowing and expressing God’s love in the face of Satan’s oppressors is the perfect antidote to fear and anxiety. God is not going to allow His obedient children to face anything that is not pre-approved to work together for our good. Torment is always a warning that Satan is present and trying to tear us down and destroy our faith. When we understand and know the absoluteness of God’s perfect love, and we immediately cover ourselves in the knowledge of how protected we are by God’s love, Satan knows he is defeated. “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8). “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
Let us pray: Dearest Lord, give us a perfect understanding of the height, depth, and breadth of Your love and fill us with Your great love for others. Empty us of the things we should not desire or the things that Spiritually weaken us. Without love we cannot bear Your image. Your great love for us deserves our highest and best. We offer ourselves to You for Your will and purposes for our lives. Renew us now by Your Spirit and send us forth to do Your works. Give us a greater vision for the works of Your kingdom. Increase our understanding of how to give You our “all!” Show us the things we are lacking, and the attitudes that need changing. Lord, perfect us so we will be an example of Christ and Your great love. May we become all You have called us to be. In Christ’s love, Amen.
Anita
