He's Greater than Fear

In recent years with all the ups and downs I've experienced with my cancer journey, and with Floyd's illness - there have been a number of times when I've faced fear.  It often hit my heart unexpectedly - usually by something dramatic that happened or from bad news.  There were times when it hit me so hard that it took my breath away.  There were other times when I was shaking from the impact of fear hitting me.  There was one time when something happened with our family that I was shaking for days - I couldn't stop.  My whole body quivered.  David in the Psalms mentioned "trembling coming upon him."  (Psalm 55:5)  Even though he was a mighty warrior, he faced fear.

Whatever the impact - I quickly learned that I had to face the fear and deal with it.  I couldn't "live with it."  It was destructive and debilitating.  I would get alone with God - express my trust in Him and ask for His help.  I would remind myself that whatever I was facing - God was greater than the situation.  He was with me.  He was carrying me.  He was working on my behalf.  He was protecting me.  I spoke out these truths - and prayed them.  I asked others to pray for me.  And I didn't give up until I felt the Lord lift the fear from my heart.

God knows that we face fear at times.  It's a normal human reaction.  But I don't think He wants us to live with it.  He waits to help us as we acknowledge our fear and express our trust in Him to help us.  He meets us in the distress of fear, and reminds us of His help - and that He's greater than the fear.

I still face fear at times over certain things.  I probably always will.  But these last years have taught me how to deal with it.....and deal with it quickly before it takes root in my heart!

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  Deuteronomy 31:8

"When I am afraid, I will trust in you."  Psalm 56:3

"I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears."  Psalm 34:4

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the seas, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."  Psalm 46:1-3

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.' "  Isaiah 41:13

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."  Psalm 23:4

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

The Lord understands when we face fearful things.  But He's right with us - closer then the air we breath!!  He is faithful to help us.

Perfect Love Casts Out Terror!

That’s how Jonathan, a co-worker living in the Middle East described his response to the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut. "Perfect love casts out terror." The outpouring of terror in Paris and Beirut make me angry – but it does not dictate my attitude to terrorists. Jesus defines my responses to terror, more than any government or act of terror ever will be able to do!

I know the difference between my response as an American citizen and my response as a citizen of the Kingdom of God. God’s kingdom comes above America, as much as I love my country.

There is a place for governments to protects it’s citizens. God has created them for that purpose. But while government armies can protect us, they cannot win the real war, the war for people’s hearts. That is the war that counts for eternity. And it is not fought with human weapons.

God challenged me years ago with these words, “You see yourself more as an American than a Christian –I want that to change.” I made a covenant with God in that moment to build my life - and my identity - on the words of Jesus

Perhaps these words from Jesus in John 10:10 can help you as much as they did me to respond like Jesus to terrorists and others far from God – I know they helped me:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

What we’re seeing in ISIS and its associates is a movement of fear: of killing and destroying.

Jesus is the leader of another kind of movement, a movement of life and love. People who use terror and violence to advance their cause do so because they are losing the battle for people’s hearts and minds.

That’s right. They are losing the battle precisely because they fight with hate and violence.

Terrorists get the media’s attention, but they don’t win the battle for people’s hearts. There are far more people responding to the love of Jesus than will ever join up with ISIS and it’s movement of fear!

Millions of Muslims are turning to Jesus around the world and it is precisely for that reason: they are sick and tired of hate and violence. They are tired of man-made religion. Of rules and self-righteousness. They want something more. They hunger for what only Jesus can offer.

All Nations, through our ministry called Serve Syria, is part of a movement of love and life. We are sharing the love of Jesus with Muslims in many countries, especially with the Syrian refugees.

One such Syrian refugee named Ishmael was a former secret service agent in Syria – assigned to assassinate those who opposed the regime. He was sickened by what he was doing, but fearful to speak up. He decided to run for his life – literally. He escaped at night across the desert with his family to Jordan.

There Ishmael met “George” (not his real name – changed to protect his identity as he continues to minister in Jordan). George led him to faith in Christ and Ishmael in turn started 38 Bible studies with other refugees – including back in Syria itself.

The real war on terror isn’t fought with drones and AK47s! It is being combatted with love by our dedicated workers who are right now serving on the Syrian border and in refugee camps in Europe.

Terror is just another word for fear. And perfect love casts out terror and fear!