Saturday, January 10, 2009

I WILL NOT Fear


Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:3-4)

Have you ever heard that old expression: "Give them an inch and they'll take a mile"? Today, I gave the enemy an inch and if it were not for the Grace of God, he would have taken a mile and my joy right along with it. I received some disturbing news about a situation that was out of my control. I had already prayed and felt confident that God would move on my behalf but I allowed the messenger's voice to ring so loudly through my mind that I could only faintly hear the voice of the Lord. The messenger said that things were bad and only going to get worse but God told me to fear not neither be dismayed because it is He that goes before me and will not fail me (Deuteronomy 31:8). Once I realized that I was beginning to fear, instantly the enemy was right there waiting to kick me while I was down. You see the enemy's sole purpose to to steal, kill and destroy. It is not uncommon for him to pretend to be your friend, trustworthy and have your best interest at heart and then turn on you in the blink of an eye.

Aren't you the one that's always preaching about the spirit of power, love and a sound mind that God gave you? Right now, all I hear is fear. Where's your faith?

The taunting and teasing echoed in my mind. Here I am, the one that's always praying, ministering and witnessing telling every one else that fear is the opposite of faith and there I was beginning to worry about tomorrow. But why? Jesus told me not to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34). I politely ended the conversation and resolved within myself that I wasn't going to listen to the naysayers and doubters because I believe what Jesus said. I also believe that doubtful, negative spirits can be contagious. If you sit in the presence of negativity long enough - sooner or later you will become negative. If you spend more time listening to doom and gloom than you the promises of God - sooner or later you will loose your hope. More importantly if you allow fear to replace your faith, you will have no joy, no strength and no power. Ask me how I know.

I had to get away from everyone else and into the presence of the Lord. I repented for my disbelief and sought encouragement in His word. My first stop was Psalm 27. There is something about the first two verses of this psalm that always fills me with peace and tranquility when the storms around me are raging. There is the blessed assurance in this verse that no matter what the report is there is nothing to fear. It doesn't matter what the doctor says, the judge says, the employer says or the stock market says. I'm not going to fear anything of those thing. In fact, I'm going to pray that God will have mercy on those that come against me. The Word says that they'll stumble and fall. I pray that the Lord will left them up and save them. Therefore I WILL NOT FEAR. My mind is made up.

Let us pray:
Dear Lord, we come to you in the name of Jesus to say thank you. Thank you for your protection, your provisions, your promises and your power. Help us to keep our minds and hearts focused on you as the storms of life rage all around us. Help us not to be moved by what we see or feel. Don't allow us to sink in fear, doubt and disparity. Help us to acknowledge you and trust in you in all of our ways for you promised to direct our paths. Lastly Lord, we pray for those that curse and come against your servants and the will you have for our lives. We ask that you would bless them, save them and deliver them. We give you glory, honor, thanks and praise in Jesus' name. Amen.

14 comments:

From the Heart said...

A great post on fear. Sometimes it is so easy to fall into that trap, but we have to believe what God says and "fear not".
The last verse you gave from Psalm 37 has been the verse God has always given me when I had problems, "wait on the Lord" and that I guess is what God is saying to me now, "wait" I will answer your prayer. The verse in Isaiah that says "My ways are not your ways and My thoughts are not your thoughts, My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts are higher than yours." Sometimes we just have to turn everything over to Him and listen for His direction. There must be a great blessing in store for all of us.
God bless you,
AliceE.

luvmy4sons said...

You surely are NOT alone in this. I know it is sin. It is a sign I do not trust my Lord...but I too will be attacked by it. Psalm 27 is one of my favorites. Great post on fear!

HALLELUJAH said...

Sister Shanita,

Stay endowed, I invite you to read Romans 8: 35-39. I pray that you find encouragement, it sounds like you already have.


GOD Bless~~~

Spring M Fricks said...

Everytime I read your blog I feel as though I went to church. Awesome again friend. This was a great lesson and sometimes one that we learn daily. Be strong and know God is in control.

Myriam said...

The enemy is always looking for an opportunity hence Paul's command not to give him a foothold. Given an inch, he would move in and make himself at home but praise God for the alert.

It is also a warning how easy it is to let naysayers to draw us away from the peace and comfort.

God bless.
Myriam

Sharon said...

Amennnn, I could not agree with you more, I am so glad you got away from the negative. I do the same, as soon as that starts or people start chatting about others, it's time to do, or find something else to do. Amen! We don't need to get caught up in these sinful ways and attitudes.
Have a blessed day
Great share

Shanita Waters said...

@ Alice - I love that verse in Isaiah too. It's also very helpful to me to remember that all things work together to the good of those that love God and I love God so although He allows me to experience some discomfort at times it's all for my good.

@ luvmy4sons - Thanks... worry is definitely a sin. I listen to the Yolanda Adams morning show and she always says 'worry about nothing pray about everything. If you worry you didn't pray and if you prayed, don't worry." I have to repeat that to myself from time to time.

@ HALLELUJAH - I don't know if I shared this with you before or not but Romans 8 is one of my favorite chapters in the bible. Thanks for the scriptures.

@ Spring - well praise God! I'm glad that you are blessed when you stop by.

@ Myriam - exactly... sometimes we just have to cut people off and tell them we understand what they say but what God says is more important.

@ Sharon - You are so right. You know, sometimes people tell me after the fact that they called me to tell me about one thing or another but couldn't get through? Yet every one else that tried to reach me got through just fine. I thank God that we serve a God who's power transcends modern technology

A Free Spirit Butterfly said...

First of all you are only human. Secondly, you are not alone. A lot of us, especially women, are so GREAT at giving advice, ministering, comforting and being strong for others and we fail to do that for "ourselves." It's only the devil trying to fit in anywhere that he sees an opening. I had a moment or two this weekend as you may have "read" and I went to Psalm 27 along with you. I typed it, cut it and taped it on my work folder to take with me when I have one of those "meetings" where my nerves are on edge. They're just my employers, not my real boss; right!

I will not fear and your post reminds us of that.

Love, peace and blessings for a great week.

Joyfulsister said...

Amen Sis,
It's amazing how the spirit of negativity can creep into our spirits if we are not careful of the company we keep or the conversation we allow ourselves to get involve in. I know what you mean Sis, I sometimes find myself having to cut a conversation short or leave a room because of what is being said. I also can relate about the fear part.

Woderful wonderful Post.

Hugz Lorie

Pastor A. A. McGhee said...

I really appreciate your gift of expression. You know how to articulate your biblical convictions and for that you are a blessing to us all.

Shanita Waters said...

@ Free Spirit - it's always a blessing to have you stop by. It is such a blessing to know that God used Psalm 27 to help you get through as well this weekend. It's one of my favorite Psalms.

@ Lorie - God bless you, Sister. You are such an encouragement to my heart every time I visit your blog. You are absolutely right - sometimes we just have to dismiss ourselves.

@ Pastor McGhee - thank you so much. I'm glad you stopped by. I'm patiently waiting to read another blessed post on your page.

Parkay said...

My dear sister in christ. I often turn to this scripture when the the storms of life are raging around me and invading my spirit. Praise God that our weak "moments" are just that. Moments in time where we get a chance to learn something about our true character. "Greater is he that is within you than he that is in the world". 1 John 4:4. I just told someone else I blog with the very same thing. You are stronger than you know. You have already risen above something impossible that is possible through Jesus Christ our Savior. I am always praying for you and your family. So faint not my sista. You are not lost and his word is forever found! Love you much ~ PEACE ~

prashant said...

Sometimes we just have to turn everything over to Him and listen for His direction. There must be a great blessing in store for all of us.
God bless you,
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