Lions, Tigers, and Bears....Oh My!

"Many bulls have surrounded Me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me. They gape at Me with their mouths, Like a raging and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet. I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots. But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me! Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. Save Me from the lion’s mouth. And from the horns of the wild oxen!"  Psalm 22:12-21

Ever feel attacked from all sides?  Ever feel overwhelmed by the darts of the enemy?  Ever had fear grip you so hard, you almost felt like you wouldn't be able to take the next step? I'll never forget an experience I once had.  I was eighteen years old and I had just given my first Bible study to my fellow youth girls. Following the study, we got into a prayer meeting and God began to deal with our hearts. The Holy Spirit fell and some of some of us girls sat in my living room weeping in the presence of God.  The Bible study ended. We felt refreshed with a sense of purpose.  I lay in bed that night thinking about what God's plans might be for me. As I gazed up into the ceiling, something flew over my head.  I can still remember that it looked like three bats. Suddenly, I realized that these were not bats, but were evil spirits.  I called on the name of Jesus with everything in me. Immediately, those spirits left. I remember crying to my mom that night as she comforted me and prayed with me. She explained that the enemy knew that God had a purpose for me and was angry, thus the spiritual intimidation.  I wish I could say that my faith overpowered my fear, but I am sad to say that for the next two years, the enemy kept me in the bondage of fear. I couldn't sleep peacefully anymore.  My spirit was timid. I couldn't do spiritual warfare anymore. Insomnia took over my nights.  I cried often, not feeling like I could be delivered because I was too fearful to fight against the enemy.  It wasn't until two years later at a late night pentecostal service that a visiting preacher rebuked that fear from my life.  I was finally able to sleep again, but there was still that spirit of intimidation that bothered me in other ways. I still couldn't take authority in the Spirit and make war on the enemy. As I began to get into God's Word more and more in my Christian walk, I began to gain confidence in the Spirit.  I remember when I moved into my apartment at age 25 that I refused to take that fear with me.  I would not live with it any longer. I told God, Only your presence is invited into my home. I gave the enemy a message loud and clear.  I spoke with authority and told him, If you ever come into my place, you will have hell to pay. At that very moment, that spirit of intimidation left me and has not returned since.  The enemy still tries to initimidat me in other ways, but his tactics have no power over me.  Right now, I am currently being attacked in a certain area of my life.  When fear tries to control me, I remember that God already defeated the enemy at the cross. My victory is already secure. 
     When you are called of God, you are at the top of the enemy's hit list.  The enemy knows that if he can scare you, he can paralyze you. If he can paralyze you, he can keep you from doing what God has called you to do.  Jesus knew what it was like to fear. In Psalm 22, in which the death of Jesus is prophesied, it says that Jesus's enemies were coming at Him from all sides. He describes His enemies as furocious bulls, dogs, and lions.  Maybe not quite lions, tigers and bears, but close enough. lol. These animals signified the enemies who desired His destruction. They were ravenous and evil. They wanted to tear Him apart. The Psalm says that Jesus's heart melted within Him which signifies the intense fear that He felt. This fear caused his tongue to cleave to his jaw.  His strength was all dried up. Yet, despite all the fear that gripped Him, He did not allow it to stop Him from making it to the cross.  His desire to fulfill His calling overpowered His fear.
     What fears grip you at this moment? Is the enemy making you fear that God does not love you, that God doesn't care, that God won't meet your need, that you are alone, that you are a failure, that if you pursue God's calling you will fail, that you will have to give up more than God will return to you, or that God will lead you somewhere you don't want to go?  Is the enemy using people to attack you in your job, your business, or your education?  Are you facing a scary disease or sickness? Are you unsure of the future?  Is there a spirit of intimidation that has you literally in bondage?  We will all face fear now or later, but we cannot allow it to paralyze us. We must tell the enemy, You are already defeated and done with. I'm going forward anyhow!  Know that if fear has gripped you, then you are called by God. Why else would the enemy bother you?  The enemy attacks those he fears the most. Don't be afraid. Walk forward. Take that next step with confidence and faith! Don't run from your calling.  Run straight into the arms of God.  Lastly, put on the whole armor of God, for that is how you will fight against the darts of the enemy.  Ephesians 6:11-13 says,

 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand....above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. "

My sister or brother, put on that shield of faith.  Trust that God has a wall of protection upon you that no enemy can get through. Trust that God already sees your end and it is victorious. You may not realize it, but fear is an attack on your faith.  The enemy wants to you doubt God's protection and promises from His Word.  Stay strong, God is your defense. Jesus had the victory.  So do you!  Although I sympathize with you that you are facing this attack, the truth is that I am excited for you.   God must have something so incredibly awesome for you that the devil is taking the time to attack you.  So in the name of Jesus, I say, fear Be Gone! Faith be renewed!  God's salvation is coming soon!