This morning I was worshipping the Lord and my thoughts went to those who struggle with fear. I saw this picture of someone bound by fear, but the bondage was actually tissue paper instead of chains!
The battle is absolutely in our minds and the enemy CANNOT do anything that we don’t allow (by agreeing with him). He whispers his lies in first person and unfortunately, sometimes we bite the bait. Do you ever think “I’m so stupid,” “People think I’m stupid,” “I made a fool out of myself,” “God can’t possibly love me,” “God doesn’t hear my prayers”? The list of lies could go on and on. What about fear and the “what-ifs” that plague your mind? The devil and his minions place many of these thoughts in our minds. What should we do?
First, read God’s Word so that YOU know the TRUTH about the matter. Read the scriptures so that YOU know that NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU will prosper. YOU need to know how much God loves you!
As I saw the picture of the tissue wrapped around a woman’s head, I immediately thought of these scriptures in Isaiah.
Isaiah 52:1-12
Awake, awake, Zion,
clothe yourself with strength
Put on your garments of splendor,
Jerusalem, the holy city.
The uncircumcised and defiled
will not enter you again.
Shake off your dust;
rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem.
Free yourself from the chains on your neck,
Daughter Zion, now a captive.
For this is what the Lord says:
“You were sold for nothing,
and without money you will be redeemed.”
For this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“At first my people went down to Egypt to live;
lately, Assyria has oppressed them.
“And now what do I have here?” declares the Lord.
“For My people have been taken away for nothing,
and those who rule them mock,”
declares the Lord.
“And all day long
My name is constantly blasphemed.
Therefore My people will know My name;
therefore in that day they will know
that it is I who foretold it.
Yes, it is I.”
How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices;
together they shout for joy.
When the Lord returns to Zion,
they will see it with their own eyes.
Burst into songs of joy together,
you ruins of Jerusalem,
for the Lord has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord will lay bare his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth will see
the salvation of our God.
Depart, depart, go out from there!
Touch no unclean thing!
Come out from it and be pure,
you who carry the articles of the Lord’s house.
But you will not leave in haste
or go in flight;
for the Lord will go before you,
the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
James 4:7-8
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Beth
