4 Solid Truths to Stand on During Scary Times
We live in scary times.
North Korea is going to blow up the world any day now. Hurricane season turned into an atomic bomb in September, and saluting the flag at a football game is suddenly a political power keg waiting to explode on the sidelines.
And, to top it off, Jennifer Dukes Lee’s Doomsday Facebook post informed me that “The world is about to end,” and I should just jump on a “time ark service module” to save my life from the apocalypse. Good thing I saved some of those hurricane snacks. Pop tarts to the rescue again.
Honestly, I was doing fine until my husband called at work to tell me to tune in to the Weather Channel because another Tropical Storm is forming in the Atlantic and “heading right for us.”
I can handle the threat of North Korea and even a potential Apocalypse, but don’t actually rain on my parade again. How many storms can one girl handle in one summer?
Maybe like me you’ve faced a little too much wind and rain lately. Did you get some news this week that makes you want to stay under the covers and hide? Are you wondering how God is going to fix the mess you are currently facing? Do you feel like a chaotic cyclone is headed in your direction? I’m guessing I am not the only one who got a knot in her stomach this week.
In the midst of all the crazy and chaotic, God is whispering “Peace. Be Still.” We just need to step away from the noise and open up the Scriptures to remember our Overcomer is still on the throne.
The solid foundation of God’s Word will keep you standing strong in this scary world.
The solid foundation of God’s Word will keep you standing strong in this scary world.
4 Solid Truths to Stand on during Scary Times
Put Your Faith to Work and Fear will Fade
Fear is a red flag warning us to stop “trying” on our own and cry out to God. He will provide His power, passion, and prudence to help us move forward in faith.
“…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (II Timothy 1:7, ESV)
God’s Word is Always at Work
You are never stuck because God speaks life and peace over you. Your Savior conquered death itself to rescue you, and He will not be silent as you suffer.
“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” (II Timothy 2:8-10)
God’s Word in You will Equip you Well for Whatever the World throws at You
The Holy Spirit will make sure you are suited up with the armor you will need as a soldier in God’s army. No fiery darts will destroy you if you pick up your shield of faith and the sword of Truth.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17, ESV).
Whatever you Sacrifice Now will be Well Worth it When You See Jesus
You are on the winning team, and the victory party is on God’s calendar. Just stay steady in your lane with your eye on the finish line instead of the sidelines.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (II Timothy 4:7-8)
You don’t need to fear the chaos, my friend. God is in control, and He will undergird you through the crazy. His plans for you will never be undermined. So, when you feel the fear starting to rise up in you, pick up your Scriptures. Remind yourself of of what you know is true.
If we stand on the solid truth, we won’t be shaken. Rather than fall into fear, we will walk forward with fierce faith in His faithfulness. Instead of feeling trapped, we will trust that He is at work in ways that we cannot see. We won’t shrink back from our callings because we will remember He’s promised to provide every single thing we need to succeed. We will walk through the crazy one step at a time until we finish the race and see our Jesus face to face. Focus on Him — He is cheering you on as you choose Him moment by moment.
Stand strong in scary times by staying in the Word.
Are you ready to fire up your faith?
Join the Wildfire Faith Community and get weekly #FaithFuel in your inbox. You’ll receive “4 Surefire Ways to Ignite Your Faith” as my gift to you.
Peace. Be still.
Eventhough we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we would fear no evil because God is with us, and He is still in control.
Yes and amen!
We had some high winds here yesterday, and a huge tree toppled over in a yard I pass on the way to my son’s school. Very surprising, but by the time I had dropped him off, the homeowner was already outside sawing off limbs and taking care of the mess.
That’s how I want to be.
And I believe that God equips us to “deal with” our disasters if we let Him guide our focus away from the panic and toward the “fire wood” that He wants to create from it.
I think you’re doing that work here, Lyli.
Love that, Michele. I need to keep my ax sharp. 🙂
Lyli, don’t you just love how the study is so timely? Wonderful post and call to remain in God’s Word every day. Only there will we find a word to sustain us. xo
Yes, I am loving our look into Timothy. I have the Beth Moore study as well. I want to do that one at some point, but am still finishing up The Armor of God study.
Very good reminders! I love the first few verses of Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” Those all sound like very good reasons to fear, but because of verse 1, we can face them in faith.
One of my favorites. I actually wrote about Psalm 46 the week of the hurricane. God is in the midst of her, and she shall not be moved. That sweet promise has been sunshine to me all month.
The word of God is not bound! What a powerful statement to stand on in times of need. Thank you Lyli for sharing this with all of us. God bless!
Yes, I love how the ESV uses that word. I am studying II Timothy in that translation — which is a newer one to me, and I am so enjoying it.
Love this. Maybe it’s my age and the fact I don’t live in Florida (sorry) but I don’t live in fear. I do have burdens and worries – like last night when I told God I really couldn’t handle all these creative products he’s given me and could I just not do/market them/sell them/be responsible for them, I mean, too hard. He reminded me Who He was and to ask for help. That’s all.
I am with you, friend. The “weather” here in this post is just a word picture for the proverbial black cloud that seems to loom over my house sometimes.
This is so good! Thank you, Lyle!