FEED FAITH – STARVE FEAR

“Do not say, ‘A conspiracy,’ concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled” – Isaiah 8:12

In the midst of the world’s overflowing storms, troubles, and anguish, God says: Feed Faith – Starve Fear – “Do not say, ‘A conspiracy,’ concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread” (Isa.8:12). Believers are not meant to join in the ‘fellowship of fear’ with the unbelieving world and their many “conspiracy theories”! The Bible is replete with statements of “fear not” from God to His people. Fear is one tool the enemy finds most useful in making God’s people to suffer defeat, failure, pain, delay and destruction of destiny. Often times, what people are afraid of is not real, but their minds paint an imaginary picture of the object or situation out of proportion and the enemy helps to amplify fear.

Of course, there are circumstances that are truly terrifying from a human perspective; an example being the coronavirus pandemic that is currently wreaking havoc across the globe. Even in such situations, the Lord still tells us not to be afraid: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa.41:10). Fear is an enemy that paralyses the potential meant to be deployed for activities that could direct you to your deliverance. Fear is a tormentor: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1Jh.4:18). Reject the torment of fear!

According to Isaiah 8, out of fear, people who refuse to submit to God shall begin to seek solace where there is none: “And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?” (v.19). The consequences shall be hardship, hunger, and gloom of anguish: “They will pass through it hard-pressed and hungry; and it shall happen, when they are hungry, that they will be enraged and curse their king and their God, and look upward. Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they will be driven into darkness” (vv.21-22). Fear deceives its victim into magnifying a challenging situation above God. The instruction to us who believe is that we should not fear any gang-up against us, rather, God alone should be feared (vv.12-13). Once you fear God, there is no one else and nothing else to fear!

Fear almost stopped the escape of the children of Israel from Egypt and their advance across the Red Sea. In Exodus 14:15, God had to command His people to move forward. As they obeyed, a way was created where there was none. As a believer in Christ, God has not given you the “spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind” (2Tim.1:7). Why then are you afraid? What are you afraid of? What is it that you dread so much as to want to stall your progress or stop your advance? Put that fear to flight. Fear is a mere shadow. Fear has no substance, but faith is the substance of things hoped for (Heb.11:1). Yet, spineless fear will keep the chicken-hearted from obtaining deliverance and accessing their blessings.

By faith, begin to expect God’s best. Banish unbelief. Reject thoughts of anxiety, worry, and regret. Renew your mind to stop attracting defeat, discouragement, disappointment, failure, destruction or death. Your Joy lies around the bend. As you hear, read, study, and meditate daily on God’s Word, your Faith will increase and be built up as the Lord sets you free from the tormenting spirit of fear. However, you must separate from people, information, and activities that fuel fear and nurture doubt. Feed your faith; starve every doubt and fear!