5 Remedies for Fear

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

I could say, “Have you ever been afraid?,” but that would be a silly question.

Of course, we have all faced fear at some time in our lives. The news we hear daily from various sources promotes anxiety.

The “what-if’s” can plague our souls. World events and political division can create chaotic thoughts of disaster.

Fear is an enemy to our mental stability and physical health.

Here are 4 effects of fear:

1. Fear paralyzes and disrupts decision making. When we are not thinking clearly, we grasp at whatever sounds good at the moment and act impulsively.

2. Fear divides. Political climates, social media, and news reports all contain various opinions. Escalated emotions can lead to fights and violence either physically or verbally.   

3. Fear overrides hope. When we look at circumstances through the lens of discouragement, we see no resolution to the problem.

4. Fear defeats success. When dread is the prominent thought, there is no room for productivity or creativity. With no hope for the future there is no motivation for growth.

God tells us time after time in His Word to fear not. Of course, He knows the frailty of our humanness and He knew we would face situations that cause alarm. That’s why He gave us His Word as our weapon to combat fear.

King David faced hopeless situations more than once. When he and his men experienced the loss of their families, David’s response was to encourage himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6).

Another psalmist wrote, Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. (Psalm 43:6 NKJV)

The Lord’s promises don’t depend upon a nation’s economy, political climate, or a leader’s decisions. His Word stands true no matter what happens in the world around us.

We can learn from David’s example and encourage ourselves in the Lord by following these 5 remedies to the agitation that can plague our souls:

1. Prayer – stay in fellowship with God. Not just to ask Him to take away the afflicting thing, but to fellowship with Him in praise and thanksgiving for who He is—the Almighty, the Omniscient, the King of the universe.

2. Provision of God – He provides for our needs so we shouldn’t panic when prices soar, or supply chains are slow or empty for a time (Philippians 4:19).

3. Protection of God – He gives us His angels to guard and protect us (Psalm 91).

4. Power of God – He is able to do abundantly more than we can ask or think as long as we depend on the power that dwells within us (Ephesians 3:20).

5. Promises of God –God tells us He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Living in anxiety and worry will not make any problem go away. Trusting the Lord means walking with Him and depending upon Him for answers. Standing on these Scriptures in faith puts the power where we need it.

As we learn to live in the identity Christ gave us, we will be able to resist the devil’s tactics more easily because we will be able to recognize that none of this dismay comes from God. 

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The Lord’s promises don’t depend upon a nation’s economy, political climate, or a leader’s decisions. His Word gives us remedies for fear that stand true no matter what happens in the world around us. (click to share on X)

 

 

 

 

Why Are We So Easily Deceived by Temptation?

 

Why are we so easily deceived by temptation?

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Why are we so easily deceived by temptation?

Sin attracts us when we are deceived into thinking something that appeals to our senses is good. The danger lies in not recognizing if a desire is right or wrong.

Our Age Doesn’t Determine Our Usefulness in the Kingdom of God

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

As years pass we face the temptation to look behind us and evaluate where we have been. This can be a good thing if we use our past as an opportunity for learning and setting goals. What we shouldn’t do is let this lead us to regret and feeling like we wasted too many years and chances for growth.

No matter what we left behind, our physical age doesn’t determine our usefulness in the kingdom of God.

Light Shines in the Darkness at the Paris Olympics

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

The atrocity that appeared in the Opening Ceremony at the Olympics has caused a worldwide outrage. I am glad to see that some, even in secular media, have criticized this parody against Christianity.

However, others, such as our own First Lady Jill Biden, praised the activities. She even questioned how the United States could top such an outstanding performance when America hosts the Olympics in 2028.

While degenerate behavior was applauded, light shone and continues to shine in the darkness at the Paris Olympics.

We have cousins in France who are missionaries. For weeks they have been preparing for this world famous event. Teams have talked to people on the streets, prayed with them, and given them places to rest, get water, and have shelter.

These saints went out among the citizens of France because the country needs Christ.

We shouldn’t be surprised at the kind of behavior that was exhibited during what should have been a celebration of a sporting event.

The spirit of antichrist has been on the earth for centuries (1 John 2:18). Current signs tell us we are living in the last days before Christ’s return.

I heard one reporter state that Christians were too tolerant when this type of behavior was displayed against them. I suppose he meant that Christians should retaliate like other groups do.

But we are not called to attack hate with hate. Romans 2:4 tells us the goodness of God is what calls people to repentance.

We are assigned to overcome darkness with light. Not with physical weapons because this is not a physical war. These types of happenings have roots in demonic spirits (Ephesians 6).

The devil hates God and all those who follow Him.

After Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus told His disciples what the church was supposed to do.

Prevail against the gates of hell.

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever your loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:18–19)

This isn’t intended to give us the picture of defending a closed door while the devil tries to get in.

The gates of hell will not prevail means we attack his domain. The gates of hell will not be able to stand against the kingdom of heaven. We go after him and his cronies in the spiritual world.

We are to use our spiritual authority to combat evil forces.

We do this by spreading the gospel of the Savior which is what the missionary teams are doing there now. If you would like to read about some of the results, you can ask to join their Facebook page, Pray4Paris.

We fight evil by not hiding from the political arena, rather we change governmental powers by voting for policies that defend our Constitution.

Jesus loves those drag queens that mocked Him. He loved those who delivered Him to the cross. He loves the prostitutes, the drug addicts, the hypocritical church members, the evolutionist, and those who are hung up on their good works.

The Son of God died for all of us (John 3:16).

Because what we do is not what sends a person to hell. Rejecting Christ’s sacrifice for sin is what separates a person from God.  

But His sacrifice must be received. If drag queens, or anyone, continues to shun the conviction of the Holy Spirit until their hearts are so hardened they are beyond repentance, Romans 1:18–32 says that the Lord gives them over to their depraved mind.

While all this darkness spread throughout the venue, light shone at the Paris Olympics as the message of forgiveness and love was proclaimed throughout the city.

New believers have been welcomed into the heavenly realm. Questions have been answered and seeds planted.

This is how we attack the dominion of evil. Christ’s light and love cannot be put out.

Please pray for the events in Paris. Pray for deception everywhere to be recognized so souls can turn to the Lord.

If you would like to know more about receiving Christ into your life, the page on this blog Knowing God will tell you how. 

Join the conversation and share your thoughts.

While degenerate behavior was applauded by some, light shone and continues to shine in the darkness at the Paris Olympics. (click to share on X)

 

   Image by dan onaca from Pixabay