Defeating Fear

In talking with someone about her fears, I’m prompted to think about my own. I’m not afraid of mice, spiders, or someone breaking into my house. Sometimes I think about losing my husband or others dear to me. I would not welcome the destruction of fire. Most of my fears are incidental and short-lived, like the fear of saying the wrong thing and messing up a relationship, or losing my memory which would make life more challenging. 

Today’s reading comes from a book on everyday prayers. The author quotes a verse that deals with bigger fears:

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Revelation 12:10–11)

Because Jesus died for me, and because I believe it and say so, and because I am not fearful of dying (maybe just the unknown process), I can affirm that while the shenanigans of Satan often take me by surprise, lack of fear conquers his accusations and efforts to turn me from faith. Most of the time. For if they do, my Jesus is determined to rescue me.

Yesterday, a strange thing happened. I don’t always blame the devil for all problems for not all of them are directly related to his lies, but if they divert me from trusting Jesus, he’s usually in there with some sort of accusation to provoke fear. This time it was unexplained pain.

We walked a lot on Sunday. Monday began okay but by lunch time my right heel tendons were swollen and so painful that I couldn’t think of anything else. Walking was difficult. Nothing eased it except putting my foot in a bucket of ice cold water, but even that didn’t help much.
How is this related to the devil’s schemes? Pain turns my thoughts to self, usually self-pity. This time it made me wonder if it would heal and go away. I know people who are in pain all their lives. How much would this stifle all my plans for even the next few days? Thinking of these things was not obsessive as the pain was so bad I couldn’t think of much else, but this morning, reading this verse and the prayer, reminded me of my real enemy and his tactics. The prayer author wrote:

Dear Lord Jesus, even as these words first thundered from heaven by a loud voice, so shout this good news into my heart today. What a focusing and freeing perspective on spiritual warfare. We live in the “now” of your salvation, power, kingdom, and authority, Lord Jesus—not the “not-so-long-from-now” but the now. You’re calling us to warfare, not war-fear.

He then quoted Martin Luther and the last line of the quote tells me how, in this situation, I can fight with a word of testimony — even alone in my house, I can sing the praises of Jesus, the Prince of Peace who has gloriously triumphed over the Prince of Darkness!

I might not have the ability to remove pain, but I can remember the One who defeated the Liar and did not shrink from death that I could be set free from its fear. I overcome because of Jesus, and fears get replaced with deep joy. Jesus empowers His people from all darkness in our hearts and all the fears that Satan tries to put there. Not only that, even though he prowls around looking for those he can devour, You have him on a short leash. 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

PRAY: Lord Jesus, as the author of this book of prayers says, I can overcome, not by my muscle or even positive thinking, but by your mercy. Your Word says that the Holy Spirit can and will declare the gospel so loudly in my heart that it drowns out Satan’s constant efforts to keep me from trusting You. You are stronger and Your way of victory is greater than all his schemes. For that, I am humbly grateful. Amen!