By Pr Michael Kintu
(All scripture quoted from the KJV Bible)
We are truly in very trying times globally. With the changing times comes all kinds of challenges in life.
Right here in our country, the cost for goods has significantly shot up as evidenced by the price of fuel and soap, just to mention but a few.
The situation has not been helped with the flooding of pictures on social media from drought-stricken parts of our nation.
These things working together spell doom, fear and anxiety among people.
The dictionary calls fear an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.
Basically, fear is just not good for us, for our health and wellbeing. We must address it before it take a hold of us.
Apostle Paul writing to Timothy, a younger minister, admonished him this way concerning the spirit of fear in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
It, therefore, seems to me that fear is in the category of spirits carried along by a report of some sort.
And the Apostle Paul is saying we can counter that spirit by power, love and a sound mind.
All these are results of having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ through faith.
Faith, according to Hebrews 11.1-2: “is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.”
Faith is the direct opposite of fear because it introduces a good report to the equation.
It brings in sound judgement, strength or power over torment and manipulation.
It is about a loving God who cares about us and has a plan versus a devil who plans evil for us.
Believe God’s report
Fear comes to all men, but you have to make a choice. Whose report will you believe? With the report comes the consequences.
Growing up in the dispensation of the informational age, and social media in particular, we cannot stop all the stories of doom from coming to us on a daily. However, we can filter out what we read, listen to or watch and, therefore, pre-determine what will potentially have an impact upon our lives.
I like the saying: “You cannot stop birds flying over your head, but you can stop them from laying eggs there.” I think this saying is really profound.
The world is continuing to go crazy, but you do not have to go along with it.
Isaiah prophesies that deep darkness will cover the Earth in the latter days, but the Lord will shine over you and His glory will appear over you (Isaiah 60:2).
Therefore, God expects us to carry a message of hope to the world, our workplaces and businesses every time we walk out of our homes.
Isaiah 54:4 has a great promise worth noting: “Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; For thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood anymore.”
God knows
God knows where we are at and has a plan. Believe Him today when He says so, and your heart will be at peace.
Notice that the Scriptures above call us to an offensive position or attitude towards this enemy of our souls.
You cannot afford the luxury of passivity here. You have to pull out your weapons of war and stand your ground.
Remember our chief adversary, the devil, comes against us as a lion, seeking whom he may devour but the Bible encourages us first to be sober and alert, and resist him sternly and he will flee from us (1 Peter 5:8).
In other words, we have to be engaged, awake, watching out and the like. May the Lord Jesus grant you grace for the season.
I will leave you with two memory verses that have always strengthened me in times like these.
Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
Philippians 4:6-7: “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Blessings!
The writer is lead Pastor at House of Revival Churh, Kisasi
michaelkintu@gmail.com
