Alone and Afraid
Posted by Dion Todd December 12th, 2021 4,830 Views 0 Comments
Alone and Afraid from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
It is a perilous time to live on Earth. There is a worldwide pandemic of sickness constantly mutating with millions already dead and no end in sight. Nations teeter on the brink of financial collapse. There is violence, wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in various places. People are distanced from others, alone, and afraid. Welcome to the new normal.
Yet, we were put here for such a time as this, and the Lord has given us everything we need to overcome. The world is going through a shaking, but those who love the Lord have nothing to fear. It is imperative that we plant our feet and stand firm in our faith, and the two main attacks of the enemy right now are loneliness and fear. Let's look at some examples:
(Mark 4:35–40 NKJV) On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.
And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"
"Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" Jesus was peacefully sleeping in the back of the boat while the storm raged around them. Looking through the eye of faith, Jesus knew they were going to be alright. While the others were screaming, "We're gonna die!" Jesus asked them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"
(2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Fear comes from the enemy, and we need to learn to see it for what it is, a demonic attack on our minds. It paralyzes, immobilizes, and nullifies our faith. Consider the Apostle Peter when he was walking on water with the Lord Jesus Christ:
(Matthew 14:28–31 NKJV) And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Peter walked on water in faith until he saw the wind and waves getting rough. When he became afraid, he began to sink. Yet, we can read those words and not apply them to our lives. All the great overcomers in Scripture had to overcome fear. It was always there, but they learned to master it. David wrote this:
(Psalm 23:4 NKJV) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Do you see how those two are connected? "I will fear no evil, For You are with me." David was not alone, and he chose to not be afraid. When Daniel was cast into the den of lions, the Lord sent an angel to see that he wasn't harmed. The Lord can protect you in any situation. Yet, we should be like the three Hebrews who told Nebuchadnezzar, Our God is able to deliver us from your hand O king, but even if He does not, we won't bow to your gods (Daniel 3:17).
Stand firm in your faith, or you will not stand at all (Isaiah 7:9). Bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). We are to resist fear, push it away, and replace those thoughts with faith in God. Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7). Don't trade the peace of God for the fear of the enemy. It's a worthless trade.
The second lie I want to cover is that you are alone. You're not! Jesus Christ promised that He would not leave us as abandoned orphans. And that if we kept His commandments, He would send another Helper to be with us forever. The Holy Spirit, who dwells with us, and within us. He came to Earth in Acts Chapter 2 and has never left. He is still here with us today. Where Jesus could only be in one place at a time, the Holy Spirit can be everywhere at once. He lives within each believer.
(John 14:15–18 NKJV) "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
That is a beautiful promise. The word "Helper" comes from the Greek word "Parakletos," meaning, Legal counselor, encourager, mediator, assistant, spokesperson, a representative. It's like having God with you in the grocery store.
I know I mention obedience a lot during a time when "do what thou wilt" seems to rule the day. Yet, so many of the Lord's great promises are reserved for the obedient. You could safely say, most of them. (Isaiah 1:19 NKJV) If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land.
Jesus repeatedly said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments," and "Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46). His word is for our protection and guidance, for such a time as this.
(John 14:23–27 NKJV) Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me. "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
You are not alone, and we are commanded to not be afraid. How can we not? Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. If you start to agree with the enemy, your fear will snowball and consume you. Even the Apostle Peter sank into the water when he let fear take control.
The Holy Spirit brings calm confidence in a world of chaos. Stand firm in your faith in God. Know that the Lord is on the throne, large, and in charge. The world is not spiraling out of control, but merely going by the Book. I am not alone, and I will not be afraid.
You can pray this with me if you like:
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me recognize Your presence dwelling here with me. Speak to me in a way that I understand, and help me get in tune with what You are doing on Earth today. I submit to You and pray that You deliver me from fear. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: If you are feeling alone and afraid, and would like some support, you are always welcome to check in at our Prayer Network. We and our team of prayer warriors are available each day to lift you up to Him!