Dismantling Fear

A few evenings ago a strong sense of fear overwhelmed me.

For the past few days the left side of my abdomen gave me slight discomfort. Soon my imagination went into overdrive. Could it be my kidneys? Was I drinking enough water? Was it going to be another terrible episode with my digestive system? Then my thoughts turned to my left leg which has poor circulation. Like the pain in my side, the calf was swollen and pulsating as blood tried to force it's way upward.

And for the the past 4 years I have not had an a asthma attack since the Lord has healed me. But at that moment, it seemed even my breathing became constricted and shallow.

As I laid down in bed, I heard a soft, reasonable voice say, "You are having a stroke just like your father. It's all over." I felt my chest become heavy and weighted down.

I slipped out of bed in a near panic. My wife is out of work and the company's disability check wouldn't cover the rent. Then there is the medical bills that would sink us. My mind was filled with dreadful thoughts of hospital stays, medical requirements, of being unemployed and utterly helpless to do anything useful.

At that moment all I knew to do was raise my hands to God. I started to declare the truth of God's Word. Not complain or talk about what I was feeling be it real or imagined, only talk about His greatness.

It's not that I would neglect any medical intervention - as it has been said by a well known pastor, doctors are God's allies to bring healing - but this time I discerned fear which was evident with my increasing anxiety and lack of peace. My mind was so clouded with fear that I wasn't thinking clearly and lost perspective on what was really going on.

Moses says, "Because I will publish [call, proclaim, read] the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God."(Deuteronomy 32:3,KJV).

Beloved, when we call, proclaim and read His Words aloud - we break through a thick, demonic cloud of fear that wants to narrow our focus - to cause us to look inward and downward - not up at the Master of the sea.

Friends, we must not only declare the truth of His Word over our circumstances but declare it among each other.

Psalms 145:4-6 says, "One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty-- and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works-- and I will proclaim your great deeds.

And this is how we dismantle fear by ascribing how great, how powerful and wonderful our God is no matter the anxiety or panic or feeling overwhelmed. God will come through with incredible peace and comfort. He always responses to worship by drawing near to us.

Later I went back to bed, closed my eyes and feel into a deep sleep. I awoke feeling refreshed and wondering what was all the fuss about in the first place? In the wake of all that anxiety only one thing remain. His strong peace which kept my heart at rest. Fear will always be undone by the Prince of Peace.