Fear. It’s an ugly thing, ugly feeling and ugly spirit. It exists and has motivated us, imprisoned us, beaten us, manipulated us, lied to us, provoked us and defeated us our entire lives. It’s been around for thousands of years. It lies in wait to achieve its goal…get us to fail, give up, make a wrong move and worst of all…to hate God, not believe Him, not trust Him and give up on His promises to us.

It has many forms and takes many forms. It continually finds ways of disguising itself but it is there. If we are not alert we miss subtle, clever and cunning ways that are used to deceive us. Sometimes, most likely most times, it has been around in our family line for generations. Each generation influenced and directed by the success of this spirit on the generations before…until it is disclosed and taken down!

The title of this article sounds stupid, huh? Nope. It’s not. I’m living proof. I’m from families that over thousands of years, like everyone else, were controlled by this ugly tool of hell. I have proof. I saw this in my own parents and living relatives when I was old enough and healed enough to recognize it. I know this because the Lord allowed me to see the truth as the scales were removed from my eyes and fear from my life. It wasn’t easy. It was a gigantic battle. Fear had taken many forms in my life and theirs. It drove most to destruction and a few to success, though they never enjoyed it or felt the success.

Our world has had an intense release of fear in the form of the “terrorist” movement. The people who want to spread terror. Other similar words that are included in this meaning “terror’…fear, horror, fright, dread, shock panic, alarm, etc. That’s what the word means. A “people” that want the title “terrorist”. It gives them power and a place. Or so they think.

This is not new. It’s been around for centuries. The titles have changed but not the people. Read the Old Testament. It’s filled with other names kingdoms, kings, leaders, rebels who either tortured, maimed, imprisoned or destroyed nations. The motives have always been the same…confuse, control and conquer and destroy. The only difference is that now the destruction power is greater, swifter, and far reaching.

Greater numbers are easily affected because the global information network is massage and twirling around at the speed of light. We have become information junkies. Depending upon the news source or alliance we side with, we read and watch those links. All others are considered “them” and “those people.” Truth is a subjective opinion…in most cases.

But there are the things that cannot be refuted though many try. I could name many examples but what about just these? Four planes destroyed people and buildings in our nation on our soil. Millions were murdered in the holocaust and there are tattooed arms and living survivors to prove this tragedy. There have been financial meltdowns in the past where much was lost in the forms of human life and possessions. The Great Depression was… and almost was again. Fear in its most dangerous form, visual and physical truth. Once again it is powered throughout mankind to seed the offspring(s) of fear again and again.

I found it difficult to balance preparation for what seem to be or becoming with trusting what I knew. This was a greater challenge as many of my friends over the years forwarded me many “truths” about the past, the now and the future. This struggle increased when I knew the sources were valid but I knew the Lord commanded me to never walk in a spirit of fear. How was I to do both? I went to what I knew. I had to stand against this new form of fear that tried to affect my life.

You see, through the help of the Lord, I had defeated many known areas of torment in my life (another name for fear). I recognized those forms. Now I found new, a disguised one. I didn’t realize it at first. I’ve been given many opportunities to battle against other deep rooted sources of this detestable little bandit of life. “Little?!” you may ask. Yep. That’s what I mean.

I’ll explain. I lost two of my beloved dogs two months ago. They died three weeks apart. Then, the Lord had guided me to adopt too rescue dogs. This is a different story for a different time. I had one little dog left, Zeke. His apparent ancestry was most probably Chihuahua. The two new dogs were going to be larger than him since the momma was shepherd mix and the daddies, well who knows. There were big paws on both of them. These were clues.

I watched as Zeke growled and snarled and moved into his alpha position. They submitted and rolled over accordingly. They were about his size when they arrived and this was an easy task to achieve since all they wanted was love.

Months have passed. They are now four times his size. His technique has not changed. If he’s had enough, he growls, snarls and intimidates to get them to submit and do want he wants. He has learned to play well with them when he wants to. They don’t’ see that is he so small and he doesn’t care that they both stand three heads above them.

I was watching their interactions this week. The Lord spoke to me… “That’s exactly what the devil does with you. You think he’s this big growling thing. Look at how tall you stand and how powerful you are through my love and my healing. You don’t have to bow down or roll over ever again. That thing is smaller than Zeke and less powerful. You have me and the name of my Son, Jesus. We defeated him before. We will continue to do this and so will you! You have no need to fear…anything or anyone!”

I knew how to do this! The Lord had trained me on how to do this! He told me years ago “Don’t look at what is ahead that appears impossible or unknown. Think on the things I have done in your past. Look at what you know about Me and what I have given you. I am the Faithful, All Powerful God on the throne. I have not changed. I parted the Red Sea. I raise the dead and heal the lame. I have not fallen asleep. When fear or worry or disbelief comes…think on what you know of Me and how I have demonstrated Who I am in your life. What I have done. Think on the past struggles while you think on what victories that resulted. Look at who you are today and what you were before. Look at that truth. My arm is not too short. I will not leave you. I am your loving Father, Protector, Provider and Friend. No need to fear. Fear nothing!”

These lessons have walked me through many confrontations with this ever-changing enemy. As I write this, the Lord revealed to me an area that has been discouraged because of continual lack of success. I had been stopped by this fear of failure in one of the things I have wanted most in life. He just showed me that I was to attack this thing and move forward. Hallelujah! Our God is a faithful God! He wants our freedom. He wants our success. He wants our peace. He wants the desires of our heart that he placed in us at an early age. He wants our dream(s) fulfilled. I know what mine is. Do you know or remember yours? Have you given up? Has fear held you back? Has fear driven you into things or at someone? Are you so busy worrying about the future you can’t see the miracles of the present?

Exercises that helped me take small steps early on that you may want to consider:

1. Look up all the scriptures speaking against fear in the bible. There are many ways to do this on a search engine in one of the free online bible programs. Or, just look in the back of your bible. Most have references listed. There are also quick scripture reference books available for purchase that you can carry with you. There are links in this Web site too! This search will show you this is not a new battle. Many have fought the same fight.

2. Find the scriptures that you can remember the easiest and say them continually when fear comes at you in any way. Mine were… and still are… “God has not given me spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind” and “Perfect love casts out all fears”. You may want to put these on notes in various places.

3. Ask the Lord to show you the “little foxes”, the little fears that are hidden or disguised in your life. Ask Him for His power to remove and heal those areas. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t happen overnight. You can’t expect to go to a gym and lift one hundred pound weights on the first visit. You have to build your muscles. Eventually even the one hundred pounders seem light!

So remember the past…and fear nothing in the present or the future! You are not alone and never will be! He is a God that loves you and wants the best for you. To help you with your search…here are some reminders found in the promises of His word:

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
Psalm 91:4

Whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Proverbs 1:32-33

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:9-11

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:17-19

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