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Joy Robbers Peace Smashers

      One night I lay in bed with my heart quaking in fear.  What I was afraid of I wasn’t sure.  Fear for John, “what if one day he did not come home?”  Fear from my grandkids, “how many nights will I lay awake wondering, worrying about them?  Worrying if they are safe or will something terrible happen to them like it happened to my son?”

            Fear.  I hate fear.  Fear and worry are joy robbers and peace smashers!

            “Lord,” I whispered in the night, “I can take the rest; the grief, the heartache, but I hate the fear.  The worry that drags me down.  If only I didn’t have to feel this fear and worry.”

            “You don’t, My child.  You do not need to worry.  I can banish fear from your heart.  Only trust Me.”

            I try to trust, but the fear creeps in.  The worry seeps into my mind like a dense fog, slowly blanketing the joy and smothering my peace. 

            “What can I do, Lord?  How can I keep the fog from obscuring Your joy?”

            “Give Me your fears.  Hand your concerns to Me and leave them in My hands.  Why would you worry when you know I am in control of all things?”

            “Because bad things happen,” the conversation went on in my mind“, and it terrifies me.  I don’t want to be knocked down again.”

            “Do you believe I work all things for your good?”

            “Yes”

            “Do you believe I have a plan to prosper you and not for evil?”

            “Yes.”

            “Do you believe though darkness may come I am the Light?”

            “Yes”

            “Do you believe if you fall I will pick you up, always and carry you in my hand?”

            “Yes, of course, Lord. You’ve done it many times.”

            “Evil is in the world, but I overcome the world.  When you are knocked down, I pick you up.  When the mountain is steep, I carry you.  When the way is dark, I hold your hand and light your path. When there’s a mighty storm, I shelter you under my wings.  When evil comes against you I surround you with angels. 

            Don’t you know, Child, when bad things happen that’s when you must trust more?  Cling tighter?  Lean harder?”

            “Oh yes, Lord, I do know that.”

            “I don’t promise flat ground or an easy race, but I do ask that you run with endurance the race I set before you.  And I do promise to be with you for all of the race.  Do you believe that?”

            “Yes, Lord, I surely do.”

            “Then Rejoice and be glad with all your heart.  I, the Lord am in our midst.  I have cast out your enemy.  You shall fear disaster no more.  Sing o daughter of Zion. I will surely give you a song.”  (from Zephaniah 3:14-15)

            Sometimes I feel I have to worry.  If I didn’t it means, I don’t care. That is a lie given to me by Satan.  Worry is engrained in us, second nature that just happens, but God says not to worry about tomorrow that this day will bring enough trouble of its own.  He doesn’t say we won’t have trouble just not to worry or be anxious or let fear dwell in our minds.  I can have victory over worry and fear.  They do not need to reign in my life.  My Father Almighty God reigns and He throws out my enemies.  Fear, Worry, and Anxiety.  They’re gone.  Exterminated!  Over thrown!  Beat down!  Taken care of by my the Mighty One.  He is in my midst and He, the Mighty One will save! (Zeph. 3:16-17)

            All I have to do is trust.  Lean.  Depend on my God.  Sound easy?  Yeah. 

            The secret to standing my ground is dwelling every day in His secret place.  The place close to His side.  Making Him my refuge, my dwelling place.  He will set me upon a high Rock.  I will call upon Him and he will answer.  He will be with me in trouble.  He may not keep me out of trouble, but He will be with me always.  He will deliver me and honor me.  He will give me long life and will satisfy me with all good things.  His good things, which are by far, better than what I think is good.  (Ps. 91)

            No matter what happens; no matter where I am; no matter what I must endure; no matter what trial comes upon me, I must trust my God.  I must call upon His name.  The name of Jesus is all I need.  Worry and fear will not have a place in my mind.  I will pour out my troubles to God,  I will place them in His mighty hands and I will leave them there.  I will trust His power.  I will hide under His wings.  I will take refuge in the secret place.  The place of trust.  Trusting God through all things. 

            I will hear His voice when He whispers in the night:  “”because you, Wendy, love Me, I will rescue you.  I will protect you for you call my name.  You will call upon Me and I will answer you.  I will be with you in trouble.  I will deliver you and honor you with long life.  I will satisfy you and show you my salvation.”  (from Ps. 91:14-16)

 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust”.  Ps. 91:1-2