A new start – Day 2

[Background: After the reading plan entitled A new beginning … without fear, I received several e-mails from readers telling me about their struggles to rid their lives from fear. Today’s piece focuses on why we should rid our lives from fear.]

Have you ever watched a boxing or tennis match before? To someone without any knowledge of sports, the boxing game might seem like two boxers prancing around only to take a blow at each other occasionally, or two tennis players hitting the ball with the main purpose of getting it over the net. In truth, both sports are strategic as opponents are constantly analysing each other to identify weaknesses, in order to outwit each other.

In our lives, Satan is our enemy. In 1 Peter 5:8 we read that he is walking around daily like a roaring lion, looking for ways to attack us. Job’s life story is a good example. He had a wonderful home with lots of possessions, a great number of children and a wonderful relationship with God. Satan hated it. What was particularly frustrating to him was that no attack worked, as God protected Job’s family and possessions with a wall of protection (Job 1:10).

Job, however, had one weakness. He feared that something would happen to his family and his belongings. Satan saw it and when he had a chance to test Job’s faith, he hit him where it hurt the most. In Job 3:25, we read Job’s words after he lost everything: “What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true.”

What fears are you nurturing in your life? Do you have an unnatural fear that something will happen to your children or that your spouse will be unfaithful to you? Perhaps you fear that your family might be in a car accident or that you will be declared bankrupt. Do you realise that the enemy is observing you?

In 2 Timothy 1:7 we read: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” In Isaiah 54:17 we read: “‘… no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,’ declares the LORD.”

When we allow any fear to become more important to us than God, we become an open target for the enemy. Rather focus on God and remind yourself (and the enemy) that Jesus was already victorious. In addition, when he places a wall of protection around you and your loved ones, no fiery dart will ever penetrate your life! God bless.