Prepare by Casting off Fear
The scriptures say that in the Last Days people’s hearts will fail them for fear of the things coming on the earth. That doesn’t have to be us! We have been forewarned both about the perilous times that are coming and of the danger that fear itself will hold for any who have not learned to vanquish this formidable temptation. With all of the other troubles surrounding us, the one thing we won’t need to add is fear. That only makes every problem worse! Worse than that, it can even lead a frightened person to abandon the faith, rather than stay faithful in the face of persecution. Martyrs’ of the past may not have always been entirely fearless, but they stood firm. We would do well to gain victories over fear now, so it won’t gain victory over us later.
Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Luke 21:26 KJV
All scripture citations are from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted.
End Times Challenge
We hardly need Jesus to warn us that people’s hearts will tremble “for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” Those times haven’t even arrived, yet fear can grip us at the thought of them. Ok, let’s take that as a friendly, diagnostic nudge from the Holy Spirit, alerting us of the need to overcome our fears even now. Get to them before they get to you.
Bridal Response
Step 1. Pray!
This must be repeated with every new challenge, because our usual reaction is to look to past experience and our abilities and say, “No way!” or try slugging it out bravely in our own strength. We all-too-easily forget that our strength is in Him, our hope is in Him—not in ourselves. So, if the Holy Spirit is making us aware (waking us up) to a fresh challenge, then the first thing the Lord wants us to do is cast that care on Jesus, because He cares for us enough to help us with it.[i] Pray, therefore, until fear and doubt fall away. Jesus is willing and able to help us with anything, that’s why He guarantees in scripture that if we call on Him, He will rescue/save/help us every time.[ii] How much do you have to call? Cry out in prayer until you receive confidence that He has heard you and the help is on the way.
Step 2. Learn to Fight Back!
Everyone has fears, anxieties or worries that they have to learn to deal with. Some have learned so well that they are never crippled from going forward and rarely seem to limp. However, the times that are coming may even put their confidence to the test. Let’s don’t any of us imagine that we “can stand,” lest we become the ones who fall.”[iii] The truth is that our confidence is often based on things such as our own abilities, family support, educational level or financial resources. What will happen when these things get over-whelmed by the earth-shaking events that are coming? The only ones who will emerge confident in these times will be those who have learned how to overcome fear God’s way.
The first thing to know about fear is that it is not a personality issue. If you think that you are shy by nature, or fearful because that’s just the way you are, then you will be defeated every time. We all have fears of some kind and these are due to past experiences and conditioning. Many of those fears seem imbedded in our personalities. Nevertheless, fear is a sinful condition of the heart. It is the sin of unbelief, of not trusting God with yourself, or your loved ones, or the situation you are facing (See “The Power of Active Faith”). Period. That’s the bottom line. Unbelief is the sin that kept Israel out of their Promised Land, and it will keep any Christian out of what is promised to us—a life of confidence in God that overflows with peace and joy.[iv] If you don’t know who Jesus is, then you can’t be expected to overcome your fears. But if you do know who He is, then you have Someone to trust with every problem you have, including your fears.
God declares that He is not the one who gave us our fears.[v] On the contrary, He is fully able to help us deal with them. That’s what faith is for. Faith is God’s antidote for fear. We apply it to fear, dread or worry anytime those rascals show up. The Lord calls them “spirits of fear”—not facets of personality. So, first we call on Jesus to help us (we “submit to God”). Then, we attack fear with faith by laying hold of the specific promises of God that answer our fears. The promises stir up our faith enough to “resist the devil.” Then, we draw near to God, confessing that we are falling into fear and thanking Him for forgiving us for doubting Him (yet again!). This re-connects us to His boundless love. Faith in His perfect love “casts out fear.”[vi] Finally, we command fear to go (if it is still hanging around). That’s the divine formula for spiritual warfare. Let’s be warriors, not worriers! (For more on this see, “Overcoming Fear.”)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7-8
Next Way to Prepare
Prepare for Calamities Unquestionably, there will be all manner of natural disasters, civil crises and other dangers that we should prepare to face. Not everything has a purely spiritual answer. During World War II, they sang, “Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.” That got the balance right! If you can see a storm coming, don’t expect the Lord to close the windows for you. Making plans and being prepared is a part of being faithful. However, if practical preparation is impossible for you to do given your circumstances, then be assured that the Lord knows this and has made other plans. On the other hand, if the Lord has us placed in such a way that we can set things aside, then very likely His plans include us being prepared. Here ae some things to take into consideration.
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Endnotes
[i] Pride (in us) tries to find the answer to life’s challenges in us; humility casts all cares on the One who wants to help us: Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
[ii] This promise is given numerous times in scripture. The Lord wants us to know His help is always available to anyone who calls on Him for anything—lavishly available (“bestowing His riches”). For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him: For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:12-13
[iii] Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12
[iv] Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion… As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.'" Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. Hebrews 3:7-8, 11-12
[v] For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 MKJV
[vi] There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18