IF WE LOOK at the world, it would be easy to allow ourselves to be dominated by fear. The media bombards us with negative happenings. Reports of economic conditions, natural disasters, crime, health concerns, and terrorist attacks may cause us to try hibernating and live to ourselves.
Fear starts early in life. Often children become fearful of the dark at a young age. When our daughter Denise was little, the next-door neighbor girl tried to tell her that there were monsters, and we should be afraid of them. We assured Denise that no monsters could possibly come near us, as we were protected by Psalm 91.
One day the little girl tried again to make Denise afraid of monsters. I heard Denise call the girl by name and say, “Psalm 91 says, ‘No monsters can come nigh you.’ ” I laughed but thought that was a pretty good interpretation of Psalm 91. Denise made that scripture personal for her situation and that was the end of the monster scare.
That fear may sound trite to adults. However, other fears get a hold of adults and keep us in captivity, just as the monster fear tried to torment Denise. It’s important to face fear and allow the Lord to turn it into faith in His promises.
Fear can be paralyzing. I was fearful of flying for many years. Every time I experienced turbulence in an aircraft, my stomach did somersaults. I would grip my husband’s hand so tightly that it almost bled. I took authority over fear in Jesus’ Name, as I knew where it was coming from. Yet I had difficulty calming my mind.
Finally one day I said to the Lord, “I’ve got to have a scripture to stand on when I fly. I’ve got to have a promise from Your Word that is specific to my situation.” Isn’t it wonderful that God will give us exactly what we ask for?
"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
He led me to Psalm 121:1–8 which says, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”
The Message Bible puts it this way: “I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep. God’s your Guardian, right at your side to protect you—shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke. God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.”
I was so comforted by this psalm. I thought that it covered everything I needed. He guards me when I’m flying by day, and He guards me when I’m flying at night. He guards me when I’m taking off in the plane and when I’m landing. And greatest of all, He is always guarding me. From that day forward, I have always claimed these verses whenever I fly.
We always pray before we take off in an airplane. I always end the prayer with, “Thank you Lord,
You bless our going out and coming in. We shall be safe from the time we take off until we land
at our destination.”
You may have never been afraid to fly. However, what fears are controlling you right now? You may be afraid of disease, death, financial problems, or broken relationships. Are you afraid of failing in your marriage or being a bad parent? You might be experiencing fear of rejection or losing your job. Whatever fears are holding you in bondage, face them with faith in God and
His Word.
At the death of Moses, God comforted Joshua with these words, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9 NIV).
Author
Lynette Hagin
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