CassieMy first time on a “real” roller coaster was this past summer, with my boyfriend Johnny.
Johnny knew I was afraid of them.
The day had been a surprise for our six month anniversary, and I remember guessing our destination as Canada’s Wonderland in the car, freaking out at first, and then feeling a whole lot of peace.
Anything I fear that is not God Himself is a lie, and not in alignment with Truth.
1. “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 41:10
2. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3
3. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
4. “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” John 14:27
But Johnny knew the external fear that I faced before the Lord Himself fixed and established Truth that through Him I need not be afraid, and, loving me by the Spirit, He met me where I was, only expectant and confident that God would work, grow in me more.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9
When we acknowledge the work God is doing on our behalf, and boast in our weakness, recognizing our need for a Saviour and the unfathomable goodness of the free gift of grace, it is impossible to go unchanged. The devil’s attacks are dead, meaningless, and null, and Jesus Christ has already overcome these attacks. Indeed, “our battle is not in flesh and blood,” and when the devil has deception over someone’s spirit, we may meet that spirit of fear or temptation or greed or ignorance if we “try” to speak conviction or truth into their life, rather than that person’s true self in Christ. Especially if our commentary comes from a place of judgement or pride. In the body of Christ, we are called to take any words of conviction and accountability to the Lord in fervour, but attacking someone who is deceived by fear, or lust, or loneliness, or whatever the lie may be, does not come from the Spirit of God and does not benefit the person or Christ’s Kingdom. But in Truth, we KNOW that “man was created in God’s image,” and that “nothing we can do will ever separate us from God’s love.” He so greatly loves all of His sons and daughters.
And the Spirit of Jesus Christ, empathetic, loving, understanding, and patient, does not condemn or cause shame, but convicts with such fierceness and LOVE that we are moved to depths in Him, our righteousness defined by trust in what He’s doing. This is why allowing His Spirit to work on our behalf when speaking to others, and in all situations, leads to endless victory for His sake and joy; “peace that surpasses all understanding.”
While we as temples of the Lord Jesus are not immune to temptations from the enemy, we know that Jesus’ grace is sufficient, and our readiness to race the good race of life in Him, crying joy each time we see the enemy running scared, rejoicing in the name of the Lord with new people, praising Him for His relentless pursuit of our hearts, that HE HAS ALREADY WON THE VICTORY. And His perfect Spirit is more than capable of pointing out and withstanding every last temptation.
