Trust God and Keep Calm

For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT).

If you are to overcome the wily schemes of the devil, (Ephesians 6:11) you must know his strategy for defeat. The evil one has been harassing God’s children since the Garden and he continues to work through the same means today: FEAR: Satan wants us to be afraid. Fear will mentally disarm us, cause us to lose perspective and render us ineffective for God’s Kingdom. How do you fight fear? Believe Psalm 46:1. Satan casts doubt in your mind in an attempt to discredit the goodness of God. Don’t let him! (Titus 3:4-5).

FRETFULNESS: When we become anxious and restless Satan will try and confirm our worst fear; God does not care. If the evil one can shoot flaming arrows into your armor of hope, you will succumb to discouragement and doubt. When you are fretful remember (Psalm 86:7). The Lord is faithful to His Word; He cannot lie. He promises to be near you even in your darkest hour (Psalm 34:18). Satan will try to capitalize on your weaknesses; Don’t acknowledge him!

FORGETFULNESS: If Satan cannot lure you away by fear and fretting, one of the most effective tools in his arsenal is hitting you with spiritual amnesia. Amnesia robs you of memories concerning God’s faithfulness in the past. Satan distorts facts, jumbles information and minimizes past experiences. When you begin to lose a sense of who you are in Christ, the devil tempts you to look to your self-identity rather than your God-identity. Where does your true identity lie? In God’s handiwork. (Ephesians 2:10) Your Father in heaven calls you a masterpiece! Satan wants you to forget that. Don’t!

In the face of FEAR Jesus Christ is your Calm Assurance. When you are tempted to fall into the trap of FRETFULNESS, He is your Calm Contentment. In times of FORGETFULNESS He is your Calm Remembering. When you are tempted to panic, remain calm and trust God!

Prayer
Father You are the calm presence and steady hand that guides me. Fill my heart with the steady assurance of Your continual love and care for me, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.