10/31/2024
Great thoughts in this post!! Had to share.
A SPIRIT OF FEAR
By: Jen McGee
We can spend an awful lot of time fearing the unknowns in life. Devoting precious time mulling over the ‘what-ifs’.
We fear making it to our next paycheck – what if we can’t pay that bill or buy those groceries?
We fear how our kids will turn out – what if they reject Jesus?
We fear losing a loved one – what if today is their last day on earth?
We fear who the next President will be – what if it’s not who we voted for?
We fear the direction this country is heading – what if the next Great Depression hits soon?
It’s perfectly normal to have these worrisome thoughts swirling around in our brains. They can be legitimate concerns – and we all have them at times. But we must be careful that we are not imagining fake scenarios in our heads and dwelling on those false fears all of the time. It’s a terrible way to live. God tells us how to gain control of these ‘what-ifs’.
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Cor. 10:5)
“CASTING DOWN” is from the Greek word, kathaireō, and it means to take down and destroy.
The sobering conclusion? We can either destroy our negative thoughts, or they will destroy US!
Constantly entertaining the ‘what-ifs’ in life can wreck our days, wreck our health, and wreck our relationships.
To put it simply, it’s not good for you! Or anyone else around you, for that matter.
Thoughts lead to emotions, and emotions lead to behaviors.
CAST your negative thoughts OUT and CAST your cares on Jesus!
“Casting all your care (anxiety) upon him; for he careth for you.” (I Peter 5:7)
This time, the Greek word for “CASTING” is epiriptō, and this means to “throw or place upon.” So, I’m to DESTROY the negative, imaginative thoughts, and I’m to PLACE those anxieties and fears UPON the shoulders of Jesus. Remember – HIS yoke is easy, and His burden is light! (Matt. 11:30)
Okay, so what thoughts are worthy of casting out? Turns out, God has given us a GREAT mind filter. It’s based on Phil. 4:8 (see below). This verse perfectly lays out what we should allow ourselves to think about. Try running your worries and fears through this verse, and if it passes the test, then feel free to think about it. But if it doesn’t – then do all you can to cast those thoughts and fears out of your mind.
But don’t stop there! Replace those false or unknown thoughts and fears with what is absolutely true. Then be astounded by how your emotions and your behaviors follow suit.
Here’s a practical example: I do not know who the next President will be, and neither do you. Now, we can sit around filling our minds with what the media wants us to dwell on. We can wring our hands and worry about the utter destruction that we are ‘certain’ will break out if things don’t go our way. OR – we could do our part to cast our vote, and we can speak the TRUTH to ourselves. What is the truth? Jesus, our Creator and Savior, is in control of ALL things! He has not abdicated His throne. The worst rulers in all of history still have to answer to Him. There is NOTHING that doesn’t pass first through His sovereign hand. And that thought - based on absolute truth - brings an overwhelming emotion of peace, which has the potential to change our entire demeanor and behavior.
Here's another example: I do not know if all my kids will choose, as adults, to serve Jesus with their lives, but I DO know that Jesus loves my children even more than I do. And His Holy Spirit in their lives is FAR more powerful than I. I must do what I can to train them, but at the end of the day, they are in the hands of our very capable Master. This thought – based on absolute truth – brings an overwhelming sense of calm, which changes my whole attitude today as I do all the mom things.
Remember God’s Word! God is not the one who is giving you this spirit of fear. He has given you a spirit of power, love, and a SOUND mind. Choose today to focus on His truth - and forcefully cast out those unnecessary fears!
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7)
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil. 4:8)
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Cor. 10:5)
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (I Peter 5:7)
