Wars and rumors of wars. Child abductions. Planes falling from the sky. When you view news headlines there is a single overriding emotion: fear.
I believe fear is the number one weapon in the enemy's arsenal. It begins with a suggestion.
What if there is war?
What if I get on a plane and it is gunned down?
What if my neighbour is a suicide bomber?
What if I lose my job?
What if I am diagnosed with cancer?
Satan builds on such insinuations with guilt, gossip, depression, I'll-health, and more. Fear is his foot in the door to a destructive pathway.
You have a different spirit (2 Timothy 1:7). When a suggestion of fear enters your mind, counteract it with statements of faith. Regardless of what is happening in the world: choose faith, reject fear.
Fighting fear takes faith. And faith comes by hearing the Word. What better place to start than Psalm 91?
I have rest.
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).
"Fear can keep us up all night long, but faith makes one fine pillow."- Mary Manin Morrissey
When fear enters your heart, sleep is lost. The soul is not at rest. Seek solace in the Most High. Discover peace in his shelter. Receive his rest.
I am safe.
This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him (Psalm 91:2).
Am I safe? Where are my children safe from predators?
Jesus provides a place of safety. Wherever you are, you can feel safe. Trust him. It's what the Word says.
He rescues me.
For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease (Psalm 91:3).
God is so gracious. Even when we mess up, He has a back-up plan. He will come to the rescue if you get trapped. Jonah heard God, ignored his voice, and was rescued. Don't worry. Christ is your deliverer.
His promises protect me.
He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection (Psalm 91:4).
You don't need a gun. You don't need a security guard. You don't need bubble wrap. Promises from Scripture are protection. There are hundreds of promises found in the Bible. Here are two:
I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done (Psalm 118:17).
But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken! (Isaiah 54:17)
Declare them. They are your protection.
Evil will not touch me.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished (Psalm 91:5-8).
A disaster falls to the right. Danger on the left. It won't touch you. A colleague has a heart attack. Another has cancer. Disease will not touch you. Believe it.
I have health.
If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home (Psalm 91:9-10).
The ultimate plague, a plague of death, settled over the land of Egypt. It could not come near the Hebrew dwellings because of the blood. The blood of Christ is more powerful than that of a lamb. When sickness comes knocking at your door, apply the blood of Jesus to your household. You have health.
Angels look after me.
For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone (Psalm 91:11-12).
You have angels looking after you. Call on them. Give them assignments. They harken to the Word of God. When you speak the Word, and they go to action. Heavenly beings will uphold and protect you (Psalm 103:20-21).
Satan is under me.
You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet (Psalm 91:13).
When we confront anything supernatural, the normal response is fear. Most people in the Bible were scared when they saw an angel, let alone encountered a demon. Satan, demons, cobras, serpents are under your feet. Jesus Christ is greater (1 John 4:4).
God answers me.
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them" (Psalm 91:14-15).
You have the ear of God. He hears when you call. And he answers (1 John 5:14-15).
You don't have to wake him up. You don't need to cut yourself. It is not based on works and achievements. We call. He answers. It's that simple.
I have long life.
I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation (Psalm 91:16).
You are promised long life. Period. Let the Word be your final authority. Nothing can steal life prematurely.
I have salvation.
If nothing else convinces you to not fear: you are saved! Death has no sting. Eternal life is yours. That's shouting material!
Sarah Coleman is an Australian author and communicator. Her books include Single Christian Female and Make Yourself Amazing. She is passionate about the Kingdom of God. She also loves being a wife and mother to two boys. To read more of Sarah's thoughts go to sarahcoleman.com.au.
Publication date: July 23, 2014