Scare Tactics

"8) Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9) Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10) And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:8-10

My paternal grandmother was a beautiful pianist and singer. I can still close my eyes and remember hearing her strong, raspy vibrato floating over Southern gospel notes as solid and steadfast as time. Pearla Glass-Jackson was always sure of herself and her voice. When she opened her mouth, primitive yet beautiful tones erupted that I could never emulate. I simply loved her sound, and though I could never capture her vocal essence, I developed a natural love for old, old songs penned by the likes of Thomas Dorsey and popularized by powerful singers such as Mahalia Jackson. So as a child, I was often asked by my family and church to sing. Actually, a better descriptor would be “prodded”! I had such terrible stage fright that my voice, hands, and sometimes entire body would shake. If I even thought I would be asked to sing at a church function, I would suffer dizzying nausea. Over time, with prayer, practice, as well as the encouragement of my mother and a very patient high-school choir director, I overcame my fear of singing, later moving on to place as 4th chair in section on the state-wide level. My once quivering voice was even selected to sing at Carnegie Hall as part of a Madrigal in my senior year of high school. Though, I only sing background these days (smile), I find that fear can be a debilitating factor in other areas of life. I believe that God has given us keys in the Word to overcome the enemy and the fear that he brings.

Know your enemy!

Our selected passage of scripture reveals not only the source of fear, but also key elements to eliminating its power in our lives. Verse 8 declares that we, as children of God all have a common enemy, the devil and that he is on a mission to destroy our lives. The enemy is not playing fair. He doesn’t announce his entrance and will use any means necessary to displace us from proper relationship with God and each other. He is on a directed path to destroy each of us, deterring us from the work that God set out for our lives. He certainly “prowls around like a roaring lion” and his aim is decidedly you and me! The devil is the master of fear tactics, for he knows that fear distracts us from our purpose and destiny. His “roaring” can be negative thoughts or feelings, malicious threats from people, physical or emotional affliction as well as demonic oppression. He seeks to “devour” your Kingdom minded dreams, goals and aspirations because he clearly sees your worth to the fulfillment of God’s divine will on Earth. YOU have work to do.

Pray with authority!

You, men and women of God, are the real threat! Most importantly, when you open your mouth to declare the power and Divine dominion of God over the devil, Heaven itself responds! Matthew 16:19 provides the believer with the fundamental Biblical power to overcome evil and the fear that it may evoke: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." You must pray the Word of God over all areas of fear in your life. Maybe your fear is the grounded in illness or death. Recall and then pray Psalm 23: 4: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you, O Lord, are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” If you fear poverty and destitution rebuke the frightful thoughts and declare Phillipians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Fear of being unloved by God cannot stand against scriptures like 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love; but perfected love cast out my fear, because fear carries the expectation of punishment. I overcome all fear by maintaining God’s perfect standard of love in my life.” We gain comfort in knowing that the true love of God disallows fear in the heart of the believer. Because we love God and He loves us, we can go to Him at any point to “make things right” in our relationship with Him. I love this verse: “I didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but I have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom I cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15. I do not have to suffer the pangs of fear. I am in the family and provision of God! I have the authority to overcome fear, because Daddy God says I can!

It’s just a battle…not the war!

Whatever your fears are, know that you are not alone. Verse 9 reminds us that “your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” There are those in your family, social circle and church that may never admit to certain fears and the inherent associated shortcomings. We don’t have to pull back the proverbial covers to know that most people are struggling with fear in some area of life whether they admit it or not. While we may fight individual battles against fear, God fights the war. We can be confident in our faith that “after you have suffered a little while, [God] will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” (v.10) Sometimes, in the heat of battling fear, we feel that we are taking our last psychological, emotional or spiritual breaths. Pause. Take a deep breath. This, dear friends, is not the end! The battle may be heated, but look to the hills…help is on the way!

Peace be Still.

I dare you to stop worrying about your inabilities, inadequacies and fears of failure and to begin praising the Lord now for your victory over fear. I believe a few declarations are in order. Your ministry dreams will be born anew and grow! God will use you in a mighty way! You most certainly will not die alone! You will find a wife! You will be found by a husband! Your children will be healthy and productive! You are not losing your mind! You can go back to school! Your job is secure! Your every need will be met! John 14:27 comforts us even now: “His peace he has given to me and not the peace that the world gives. Thus, I do not let my heart be troubled, or let it be fearful.” While the prince of darkness may indeed have a mighty roar, arsenals of spiritual weapons and a world of sinful schemes designed to take your life, you can be assured that the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against his every plan! The war is already won, rest in the peace of a mighty God!

Dr.’s Orders: 

1) Write down your top one, two or three fears in life. Try to remember your first memory of experiencing this fear. Draw a line down the center of the paper. On the left hand side, write down the major people, situations, or thoughts that trigger the fear. On the right hand side of the page, write down a scripture that addresses the fear directly to the left of the line.

2) Pray the Word! The promises of God for you are real. Pray to overcome fear and to enjoy genuine peace in Him.