WHEN I AM AFRAID
27th Feb 2019
David had his fair share of troubles and was under constant pressure from his enemies, so he needed to develop a strategy to deal with fear. In Psalm 56:3-4 (NLT) he declares, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”
Fear is an emotion that we all experience, some fears are good and are intended to keep us safe, but that is not the fear I am talking about. When fear comes, the enemy tries to dominate our minds with disaster scenarios and fill us with anxiety and dread. We need to have worked out in advance how to combat his tricks. You may well have heard the acrostic on the word FEAR - False Expectation Appearing Real.
David’s first step was to consciously declare his trust and faith in God. You need to speak out loud something like this, “You are a good God, you love me and protect me from every device of the devil, I praise you for all the blessings that you have poured out on me. I know that you are with me in this trial and I receive your gift of peace in the middle of these circumstances.” It is good to sing a worship song which is full of words that counteract everything that is dragging you down.
David’s next step was, “I praise God for what he has promised.” Take hold of scriptures that you have received in the past, look them up in your Bible and declare them over the situation that is trying to make you afraid.
David then says, “I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?” Rebuke the devil and tell him he has no right to accuse and undermine you. Reject the words of criticism that are coming from those who are opposing you.
Finally David says, “What can mere mortals do to me?” Our God is greater than any man, He is for you and not against you. So live in His peace and use your spiritual weapons to overcome every device of the enemy.
by Charles Sibthorpe
