Do you battle fear? Many people do and don’t even realize it.

I have recently picked up an old classic and it has blessed me beyond measure. If you haven’t read Hinds Feet in High Places, I highly recommend it. There’s even has a devotional out now based on the book.

The story’s main character, Much-Afraid, is someone we all can relate to in one way or another. She is afraid of many things. I have been blessed reading this and cannot recommend it enough. It is enriched with scripture throughout.

This past week, I was in North Carolina to support a young man I love who has been battling a heroin addiction for years. He got baptized on Sunday and wanted me to be there with him. It was such an honor and privilege to stand with him as he took that step of faith. He has battled many demons through the years, one of which is fear.

My mom happened to notice I bought him a copy of Hinds Feet in High Places and asked about it. When I told her the gist of the allegory and why I had bought if for him, she shared a story that made me laugh. At first, you may not see the connection, but stay with me:

I made a traffic stop on an elderly lady the other day for speeding
on U.S. 166 Eastbound at Mile Marker 73 just East of Sedan , KS .
I asked for her driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance.
The lady took out the required information and handed it to me.
In with the cards I was somewhat surprised (due to her advanced age)
to see she had a conceal carry permit. I looked at her and ask if
she had a weapon in her possession at this time.
She responded that she indeed had a .45 automatic in her glove box.
Something—body language, or the way she said it—made me want
to ask if she had any other firearms. She did admit to also having
a 9mm Glock in her center console. Now I had to ask one more
time if that was all. She responded once again that she did have
just one more, a .38 special in her purse. I then asked her what
was she so afraid of.
She looked me right in the eye and said, “Not a *%&@! thing!”

If you’re like me, you laughed out loud at the thought of an old woman with so much spunk. My mother said,

That will be you one day!”

I told her I hoped so, but then I realized that could be me today, and you, too, for that matter. We don’t have to purchase an arsenal of weapons to be fearless. We already have all we need. 

Ephesians 6:17 says,

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Scripture, the Word of God, is our weapon!

When we fight with it, as Jesus did in Matthew 4, we can do more damage than any gun. But in order to do so we need to:

Know your weapon.

You cannot use a weapon if you don’t know anything about it. Get familiar with the Word of God. Spend time in it. Learn what it says and how it applies to your live daily. John 8:31a-32 says,

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Surround yourself with it.

We do this when we study the Word and plant it in our hearts and minds. We can even put reminders of it in our homes, offices, what we read, and what we listen to or view. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 says,

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

You have nothing to fear.

When you are fully armed, you do not need to walk in fear. You have what you need to go into battle. Ephesians 6:12 says,

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

But we are reminded not to fear our enemy, but rather to walk in the gifts God has given us. 2 Timothy 1:7 says,

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

Do not allow the enemy to make you Much-Afraid. The Good Shepherd has given you all of the weapons necessary to defeat any enemy that comes your way.

FEAR NOT!