Afraid of the Darkness?

Afraid of the Darkness?

Wars and rumors of wars, increased fuel prices, food prices through the roof. Social chaos and riots breed riots and conflict everywhere we turn. The world is on the brink of insanity, and everything seems out of control. When we turn on the news, we hear so many conflicting reports that it is impossible to know who or what to believe! Who can we trust?

We know in our heads that the news is all about drama and sensationalism and is designed to create emotional responses and panic in those who watch. So why do we watch these things? Where are we going for our information? Some feel safer watching online preachers and prophetic teachers. But even there we find an endless source of conflicting theories and interpretations both of events and the Scriptures. Sometimes that’s not much better than watching all the news channels!

This is a time in history when, more than ever before, we need to be discerning and listening carefully to what the Holy Spirit is saying to our hearts. The Scriptures tell us several things about this period of history: first, that it will be a time of great delusion. In order to find the truth, we will need to have a relationship with the One who is Truth! We’re also told to expect a time of great darkness on the earth, a time when the evil in man’s heart will come to full harvest. Our responsibility as Believers is to spend time with the Father so that we can discern truth and walk wisely in these days.

The Bible clearly tells us over and over not to be afraid. I heard someone say that the Bible says to fear not 365 times – once for every day of the year. While that’s a nice thought, we’re probably safe to say that it’s not really there 365 times, but it IS there often enough that we should pay attention! Don’t expose yourself to things that feed your fears!

We do well to remind ourselves that Jesus completely defeated everything of evil and darkness by His sacrifice at the Cross. Our enemy of darkness has no power left except that of deception. If he can confuse us and convince us to believe that he’s in control of world events, then we will walk in fear and trembling about what will happen to us. When we realize that Jesus said all power and authority belong to Him, then our hearts can be at peace. We can face the coming darkness with all the boldness and confidence that rests in His victory.

From the beginning God has had a Plan, and that Plan to create a bride for His Son is moving forward regardless of what the enemy tries to do to stop it. We can have confidence that the Plan of God has never changed, and that events will come to pass just as He has said. This is where our trust should be, since we’ve already read the book clear to the end!

Living as widows after many years of partnership in marriage has opened us to new areas of vulnerability when it comes to fear and insecurity. We lack that one who holds our hand and walks with us…at least in this physical realm. Our “sounding board”, the one we made decisions with, is no longer available to us. We can easily feel alone and frightened as we look at the storms all around us. As we track with the events in Israel, we begin to wonder how close we are to the end of all things. But instead of allowing that to bring fear to our hearts, begin to focus on the promises of God and the things that are yet to come.

There will yet be a day when all tears are wiped away; when there is no more sickness or death or crying; when all is at peace, and we will once again see those who have gone on before us. Be encouraged and remember that all those wonderful things are yet to come. It’s somewhat of a principle that the “valley of the shadow of death” comes before the “goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”!

My prayer for you today is that you will experience grace and rest and peace that comes from the heart of God the Father who especially watches over you simply because you ARE a widow! Remember that He has every aspect of our life and times in His loving hands.

Your thoughts and comments are welcome here, or you can email me at sheryl@freshhope.us