The enemy capitalizes on transition and even directional discovery to try to establish fear where faith is necessary. Fear trashes us and exhausts us with stress. It exaggerates things making us feel the situations are more than is actual. Everything is a crisis and urgent when fear is present. Fear is the enemy of faith.
Fear of Being Fearful
The unknown scares us and the enemy utilizes this opportunity to tempt us to fear. Sheep are fearful creatures and we are the sheep of His pasture. The good news is we have a Perfect Shepherd but that doesn’t dissuade the devil from his three ring circus. He is an opportunist and exploits every opportunity.
So how do we weather the storms of change, especially when the outcome is unknown? I myself am looking for this answer. Personally I am facing a life transition and the enemy is taunting me to enter fear. The unknown is fear producing and in this position all you can do is hold onto and lean into the Lord. And maybe this is the entire intention for this position. “Come to Me, I hold your future!”
Faith Overcoming Fear
Sometimes it is easier said than done. But this is where faith comes in—the leaning of the entire personality. Entire personality, just as the Amplified Bible says. So does this mean that our momentary trouble is but an invitation for us to lean on Him and see our Shepherd strong? I believe so. And that’s the very last thing that the enemy wants us to encounter. If we can remain “questioning and unmoored” he has us, because we are easier to manipulate when we are fearful. But in faith through relationship with Him we are carried through, this is the way out of this fearful position.
“For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus [the leaning of your entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness] and of the love which you [have and show] for all the saints (God’s consecrated ones),”
Colossians 1:4 AMPC
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.”
Psalms 46:1-3 NASB1995
You hit me right where I’m living, John…entering a phase of life where, not just the outcome, but the result of present circumstances are unknown. How do you rest (in Him) when practical details need to be worked out and in the back of your mind are the questions: “How do I…?,” “Who’s going to…?,” “Where will I…?,” etc. The logic is easy: Christ is shepherding me now and I do not lack; He will continue to shepherd me and His promise is the same–His Life is the same; He does not change. But the reality is that I’m getting… Read more »