by Patricia Bellchambers
There is an old African proverb that states….. "Do not flee from a roaring lion towards a crouching lion. ”
It is a natural reaction to run from the things we fear, however, when we give into this desire to run it is almost always that we are running into a greater danger than the one we are running from. Fear tends to blind us and so we run the very real risk of falling and becoming entangled in all sorts of things which can then bind us and/or cause us to be lost. We then often begin to self protect, become independent , often we also take on personas and engage other coping mechanisms such as rituals. We can often become distrustful, suspicious and paranoid.
Fear, once described as False Evidence Appearing Real, is most often based in deception and imaginations. Yes we can of course face real threats which can impute fear but most of the time our fear begins with a thought or a perception that is false and yet grows continually as we focus on it.
Courage is not the absence of fear but rather holding your ground or moving forward in the face of fear.
In a battle situation when the warriors have their shields locked together and the enemy is advancing, it is imperative that everyone holds their position until the orders are given. If one soldier moves out of place then the enemy has an access point. There is ground given.
We have all heard many times the saying that “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” This is true of any chain including human chains.
The truth is as a church we are all connected, we impact in some way (negatively or positively) on everyone in our church family whether we try or want to or not.
We are in a season in which it is imperative that we hold our positions, that we hold our ground until given the next command.
We must not let fear dictate our next move. We must not run blindly from the unknown back to the familiar or into the enemy’s camp.
We must lock shields, determine in our hearts to advance the kingdom in God’s strength and resolve to move forward together as one.
Fear will bring confusion but faith will bring clarity.
Let’s enter into the year ahead with clarity and focus and a single-minded determination to be willing and obedient to those things God requires of us .
Don’t be fooled by fear into leaving your post ………you may not find your way back.
(Prophetic article given on 26th December 2010)