For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. - 2Ti 1:7 NKJV
When God is on the side of the righteous there is nothing to fear but fear itself. '[According to] the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!' - Hag 2:5
Fear is an enemy of God. Fear brings torment, yet God's perfect love casts out all fear. We must allow God's love to be perfected in us so that we can stand in the days of evil. 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. - 1Jo 4:18
Today, it seems as if the whole world has forgotten who is actually in control. Everyone seems to be running in one direction or another to protect themselves or prepare themselves against the dreaded Coronavirus. It is so bad that people are wiping the shelves clean of toilet paper of all things. Honestly, I do not think running out of toilet paper would be my biggest fear if I became ill with this virus. But, if the news reports it then people believe it and fear spreads like the virus that is causing it.
Fear is an enemy of faith and offers us nothing but bondage. Unless a fear warns us of true danger and something that would help us be safe from the danger it is not a voice we should receive. Otherwise, fear is bondage and is not offered to us from God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." - Rom 8:15
I hesitate to write about this virus because everyone who has a podium or an outlet is speaking their opinion about it but then I realized I may bring valuable insight and a different flavor than others. So, I write.
The word fear defines terror and dread, it is where we get the word phobia, from the Greek word phobos translated as fear. There are numerous words translated from Hebrew and Greek as fear or as it relates to fear such as anxiety.
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. - Pro 12:25
There is a direct relationship between fear and depression. When we fear it is because we cannot control the outcome of a situation or are overly concerned about the outcome. Control is a way of trying to hold something according to our ways without having the faith to believe God will take care of all our anxieties if we allow Him.
Everyone has the potential to fear. Fear is available to every soul for any reason at any time, but the important thing is what we do with the fear. Do we allow fear to paralyze us, whereby we are immobilized to do anything good or necessary? Or, do we allow fear to be a motivator to walk by faith and overcome whatever fear is presented?
I used to live in constant fear and for what many might say was a good reason, especially as it related to my health mentally and physically. However, after being born again I now know that fear caused me to remain dormant in my relationship with God because I often focused on the fear of the what-ifs. I was even diagnosed with Agoraphobia, the fear to go outside the home. I had extreme anxiety in the stores and often would leave my cart and run out and go home. Fear had such a grip on me for so many years it is a surprise I ever made it through. But God!
I tell you this because I want you to know that there are those who understand why people become fearful to the extent of hoarding and hiding. But the real fear should not be about who may or may not die from the Coronavirus but who is dying forever and going to hell as a result of not having a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Someone mentioned to me about a false crown connected to the Coronavirus and that was all I needed to start looking into the meaning of the name. Let me share this with you and perhaps you will have a new strategy to pray and to not allow fear to control you.
Dictionary.com defines corona as (1.) a white or colored circle or set of concentric circles of light seen around a luminous body, especially around the sun or moon. (2.) A crownlike appendage, especially one on the inner side of a corolla, as in the narcissus. (3.) The upper portion or crown of a part, as of the head.
CNN reports that the Chinese krait and the Chinese cobra may be the original source of the newly discovered coronavirus! The krait is a highly venomous species of snake found in much of China and Southeast Asia. The article also reports that the coronavirus gets its name from its shape, which resembles a crown or solar corona.
The krait snake is cannibalistic in nature, meaning it feeds on other snakes. It is nocturnal, becomes very active at night. It is not considered to be aggressive but rather timid (fear) and often hides its head within its body. Sounds a lot like Satan. He comes out at night to prey on anything he can kill, steal from or destroy. He hides until an opportune time allows him to strike. This particular snakes venom is neurotoxic and induces muscle paralysis. Fear also causes emotional paralysis.
The Chinese cobra is an aggressive snake that can be found almost anywhere in China, including around heavily populated areas of people. It is obviously not afraid of people. When its venom is induced the physical symptoms are a lot like physical symptoms of fear in an anxiety attack. It can manifest with difficulty in swallowing, weak in limbs, lockjaw, and difficulty in breathing. Other symptoms are fever, chest discomfort, and sore throat; the same symptoms of the coronavirus.
Put the paralyzing fear together with the crown and we can see a false authority trying to take over the world, whereby Satan hopes to stop the upcoming revival.
A kingdom divided cannot stand and if the enemy can keep the Church from coming together because people are afraid of getting sick, he will slow up the revival promised by God. Of course, he won't stop it because God will outwit Satan and I have no doubt that God will also use this particular season of fear to teach His children something. Maybe something like faith over fear is His kingdom will.
Let's pray,
Heavenly Father, I repent in the name of Jesus for the sins of fear. I have allowed fear to rule my life in many areas many times but today I declare that I choose faith. The world desires that we all fear the future, but You assure Your children that You think good thoughts towards us and have hope and a future in store for us. Please help me to overcome fear and stand on Your word by faith and not my feelings. In Jesus name, Amen
Comments