No What Ifs!

Mustard Seed Chronicles: Story Time with LU Grandma

There are so many “Fear Nots” spoken in the Scriptures even in the Christmas and Easter stories. Have I had fearful moments in my life? Yes! Mine were always connected to what was happening to my family members: car accidents, surgeries gone bad, loss of income, and wars, or having a tornado or derecho come to where I live. But God faithfully delivered us and them all, and the fear was brief.

I believe that to be startled is one thing. To live in fear is quite another.

I think Satan uses the words “What if?“ the most. We may be looking into something that would be a ministry God wants for us, maybe a move, a new job, or a new relationship, or for college students’ possible change of majors. And he stands between God and us with all of the “What IFS”! What if I am not? What if they do not? What if it won’t? What if God doesn’t? What if I? The problem arises when we answer these doubts and fears with our own plans. When we do, these are not from God. We can never blame our responses to fear on God then.

God on the other hand is speaking the command, “FEAR NOT.” It is because if He is commanding us to do that thing, then He knows the situation before the creation of the world. He knows the good of it to come, and if we do not obey or avoid it in fear, our disobedience is sin.

The enemy of our soul and our testimony can paralyze our obedience if we listen to the “what ifs.” Be ready to respond to the doubt and fear with “Fear not” from God’s Word. He gives us 63 times in the King James Bible to reference and apply to the fear and doubt that comes.

In John 14:27, Jesus says: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (emphasis is mine). That is a command and a beautiful promise combined. What “what ifs” could our enemy say to that? NOTHING!

Another command with a promise is in Philippians 4:6-7 that says: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (emphasis is mine).

So, my Christian Soldier friends, let us not be paralyzed by fear and get tangled in the “what ifs” net of our enemy. Have your full armor on (read Ephesians 6:10-20) so that you can defend, guard, and fight against those fiery darts.

Prayer

Precious Father, You have given all of us everything we need to live a life free of paralyzing fear. Your peace, Jesus, given to us is all we need not to have phobias. Help us to remember that when the enemy tries to get us tangled up in his “fear knots or what ifs.” May we run to You and confess, if we need to, the plans we have made for ourselves and the fears we have allowed to strangle our hope, comfort, and joy that comes from You. Restore that peace in us and reveal Your perfect plan for us so that we can go out with Joy and serve You, Your people, and the world. We want to be salt and light, Lord, not a dismal cloud of doubt for all to see.

We pray this in the precious name and authority of our Savior and Lord, Jesus.

Amen!