FOODFORTHOUGHT

F O O D F O R T H O U G H T

By Martha Noebel

With everything that is going on in the world today, the spirit of fear seems to be working overtime. We have every reason to fear, but the spirit of fear does not come from God. It can be crippling to anyone who holds on to it.

The devil wants us to be afraid. He wants us to be so overwhelmed that we cannot accomplish the things we need to do. Remember, if God is for us, no one can be against us. We are overcomers! We are to hold fast to God and stand strong.

Recently, I had a personal situation that was causing me much stress and concern. I needed a clear word from the Lord. As I sat on my couch in the middle of the night, I called out to God for a Word that would help me. I hated feeling so badly. I turned in my Bible, looking through many Scriptures, when I came across this one:

"Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city" (Acts 18:9,10, NIV).

I felt so much peace as I read it. I had been having feelings that something bad was going to happen to me. I could not shake them at all. Now I felt totally free. All the emotional pain left. Instantly it was gone. Praise the Lord! I knew I was in God's hands and I needed to continue doing what God had called me to do. I knew I would not be harmed and that God had angels all around me. I knew everything was going to be all right. It didn't matter what anyone else thought; I knew what God said.

As I was driving the next day, I realized this same Word is true concerning the recent scares we have experienced. We must refuse to worry about what "may" happen. God is going to see us through. He has His angels all around us and we have many Christian friends here for us. Greater still, we have God's Word and His peace with us 24 hours a day. Even in the middle of the night while everyone else is sleeping, God is awake. He is waiting for us to call out to Him. He is there. He loves us so much. Don't be afraid… He is there.

"Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop your anger! Turn from your rage! Do not envy others- it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land" (Psalm 37:5-9, New Living Translation).

# posted by F O O D F O R T H O U G H T @ 5:04 AM