Author: Joanne

Do not Fear and Be Discouraged, Jehovah Shammah Holds Your Life!

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness

– Isaiah 41:10

I grew up in a large extended family but I was always different in my personality, therefore, I felt like I didn’t belong. I felt like an alien in my family. I felt alone and abandoned, like there was no place for me in this world. Therefore, I isolated myself most of the times. I was an introvert, very quiet and reserved, and many persons thought I was “fresh”, “snobbish”. What they did not know was that my soul was so wounded because of the childhood traumas I experienced that I was so insecure and had such low self-esteem, hence I was afraid to communicate with others. I feared being rejected. I had so many fears as I mentioned in a previous devotional, and I felt so alone. It stands to reason why when I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and major depression, I was told that I had been depressed from a child.  

Isaiah 41:10 says “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”.

Why shouldn’t you fear? You shouldn’t be afraid because God is with you. You are not alone. You are not neglected. God promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you so He encourages you to be strong and courageous, and not to be afraid (Deuteronomy 31:6). He also promises to be with you always, even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). He is your Jehovah Shammah – The Ever Present God.

Why shouldn’t you be dismayed or discouraged? Because Jehovah Shammah is your God. He is the omnipresent God. You can call on Him at any time.

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Fear Not, God Loves You!

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

– 1 John 4:18

When I was an adolescent and a young Christian, I read in the Bible about God’s love for humanity and saw how Jesus’ ministry was characterized by love. I was so mesmerized with the results of Jesus’ ministry – signs, wonders, and miracles that I wanted to experience the same. I wanted to live a life of love like Jesus did so for many years and even up to this day my daily prayer has been, “Lord please let Your love be shed abroad in my heart according to Romans 5:5. Not only have I been praying this prayer but I also literally look for opportunities to love others and to demonstrate that love.

When I first started to pray this prayer, I had not a clue the implications of it. I just wanted to be like Jesus, and I still do. Only now, I have an understanding of what it means to love with God’s love after first loving myself.

You see, ironically, I had cultivated a life of God’s love towards others and became mature in love (so I thought) but I was not in love therefore, I did not feel loved. I thought no one loved me. There I was giving love and not in a place to receive love so fear took a hold of my heart, mind and emotions. I know this sounds complicated so let me try to explain further. I believed that others deserved to be loved so I went all the way out to love others but I was so wounded in my soul that I did not believe I deserved to be loved so it was difficult for me to accept love because I was afraid, yet, my perception was that no one loved me so I felt used, taken for granted and unappreciated by the people I loved, which was a lie straight from the devil.  

In previous devotions it was mentioned that Paul in 2 Timothy 1:7 expressed that the spirit of fear is not from God, instead God has given you the spirit of love. Also, in Galatians 5:22, Paul listed “love” when he mentioned the fruit of the Spirit. He stated, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love…” Love is the first portion of the fruit of the Spirit – that must be something significant!

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Fear Has Torment!

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

– 1 John 4:18

Reminiscing on my life’s journey I have identified several situations in which I was afraid. Fear had become my master as I was a slave to fear. I was afraid of failing; I was afraid of being rejected; I was afraid of the dark; I was afraid of heights; I was afraid of creeping things and some animals; I was afraid of gaining weight; I was afraid of flying; I was afraid of being in constricted, confined spaces; I was afraid of driving a car; I was afraid of the sea; I was afraid of men; I was afraid of being ill; I was afraid of travelling on public transportation; I was afraid of being in public (social) places; I was afraid of the sound of ambulance’s sirens; I was afraid that my mother will die; and I was afraid of developing meaningful relationships with others. Therefore, I avoided being in those situations and isolated myself. I can definitely concur with Job that “… the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me” (Job 3:25) because I have experienced it over and over and over again.

While the aforementioned list of fears that I have experienced may seem unbelievable, for me they were real. However, some of them are not just a casual fear. Psychologists have identified most of them as a phobia, which is a kind of anxiety disorder that causes an individual to encounter extreme, irrational fear about a situation, living creature, place, or object. A person who experiences a phobia often shapes his/her life to evade whatever he/she deems to be dangerous. His/her mind is perpetually thinking about the apparent dangers and this causes him/her to be anxious. This is because our thoughts influence our feelings and our feelings our behaviours.

Having such fear is one of the most horrifying encounters in one’s life. It causes the following experiences: a sensation of uncontrollable anxiety when exposed to the source of fear; a feeling that the source of that fear must be avoided at all costs; not being able to function properly when exposed to the trigger; acknowledgment that the fear is irrational, unreasonable, and exaggerated, combined with an inability to control the feelings.

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You Have a Sound Mind!

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

– 2 Timothy 1:7

There are troubles all around us and sometimes we cannot avoid them. It is expected that once we are in the world we will have tribulations. Jesus made mentioned of this truth in John 16:33, which is cited in yesterday’s devotion. However, no one likes to have tribulations. I know I don’t! Do you?

Sufferings had a way of injecting fear into my heart, affecting my mind, causing me to think irrationally. The enemy captured my mind, filled it with his lies, and I became a slave to fear. Sometime, even in the absence of troubles, the enemy still had a way of being able to lie to me, I held on to those lies and became paranoid. This, often caused anxiety and depression. Many times I felt like I was literally “losing my mind” or going “crazy”, which is the total opposite of having a sound mind.

Timothy in his days was confronted with a scenario in which his mind was tempted to yield to fear. The Early Church was experiencing a grave challenge as Nero was persecuting the believers everywhere in the most outrageous and hostile ways. Timothy, the pastor of the church in Ephesus at that time feared for his life because he knew if he was caught by Nero’s secret police, they would have delighted in killing him in some ferocious way.   

Therefore, the more Timothy thought about the danger he was in, a spirit of fear tried to capture him. That is the reason why Paul had to encourage him and remind him in 2 Timothy 1:7 saying, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

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Trials Are Inevitable But Victory In Jesus Is Assured!

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

– John 16:33

As a young Christian in my early teen years and even as a young adult, I never understood why I had to experience all the difficult situations that I did. I asked God many time why but I never really waited for the answer from Him. I Thought that because I gave my life to Christ as a young child, and lived an obedient life because I only wanted to please God, then I should have been exempted from all the pain and suffering that I went through. I didn’t understand why, if God loves me so much, He allowed those bad thing to happen to me (so I thought). Therefore, for years I blamed God for the trials that I encountered in my life. I felt that He did not protect me as He should have. However, I have since learnt that being saved, sanctified, Holy Ghost filled, obedient, or even perfect do not immune one from tribulations.  

Jesus in John 16:33 says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. Let us take a moment to see what exactly Jesus means in this verse.

The word “peace” used by Jesus in this verse is the Greek word eirene. It is often used in the New Testament to describe tranquillity experienced after the cessation of war and expresses the notion that the battle is completed; the war is ended; victory is attained; and it is time for tranquillity and rest. It also strongly suggest the rule of order in place of chaos, when a person is dominated by eirene (“peace”), he/she has a calm, inner stability that results in the ability to conduct him/herself peacefully, even in the midst of circumstances that would normally be very nerve-racking, traumatic, or upsetting. Furthermore, eirene is the Greek counterpart for the Hebrew word shalom, which conveys the idea of wholeness, completeness, or tranquillity in the soul that is unaffected by outside situations or pressures. The Hebrew equivalent, the word shalom, indicates that this dominating peace ultimately gives rise to prosperity in one’s soul. Rather than permitting the hitches and stresses of life to break him/her, a person who is possessed by eirene (“peace”) is whole, complete, orderly, stable, and poised for blessing (Renner, 2003, 2016).

The word “tribulation” is the Greek word thlipsis, which refers to a situation so difficult that it causes one to feel stressed, squeezed, pressured, or crushed. It can be translated as distress, affliction, or trouble, constantly signifying a level of intensity that is almost unbearable in the natural.

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God Preserves in Perfect Peace the One Whose Mind is Continually Fixed on Him and Who Trust in Him! 

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

– Isaiah 26:3

I can recall many times in my life when my mind was stayed on, and I trusted in everything else except God. Those were the times when I was tormented by fear, anxiety, depression and a host of other disturbing emotions. I can also remember the times when my mind was stayed on, and I trusted in God. The effect was God kept me in His perfect peace. Can you share the same sentiments as I?

We are living in an era when trouble is all around us and as a result humanity is unsettled. There are wars, natural disasters, illness, poverty, crimes, just to name a few. If your mind is bombarded by the cares of live then you are sure to experience distress. However, if you would fix you mind on and trust in God, He will keep you in His perfect peace.

The Gospel accounts of the healing of the woman with an issue of blood by Jesus recorded in Matthew 9:20–22, Mark 5:25–34, Luke 8:43–48 immediately came to my mind when I thought of a situation in the Bible in which someone had such peace of mind in the midst of a distressing circumstance.

This woman had experienced bleeding for twelve years and suffered a great deal under the care of several doctors, therefore, she had spent all she had. However, she did not get better, instead her condition grew worst. When this woman heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched the hem of His tallit because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Instantly her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was delivered from her suffering.

Jesus realized that power went out form Him so He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” His disciples thought it was obvious for Jesus to be touched because of the crowd that was around Him so they answered Him saying, “You see the people crowding against you, and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” Nevertheless, Jesus knew exactly what had happened, He knew that it was not just an ordinary touch by the crowd so He continued to look around to see who had touched Him. The woman then came and fell at Jesus’s feet, trembling with fear, and told Him what she experienced because she knew what had happened to her when she touched Him. Then Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

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A Heart Free of Worry and Fear!

… Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

– John 14:27

In yesterday’s devotion I looked at the first part of John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you…”, and I shared with you a testimony of how God’s supernatural eirene and Shalom (“peace”) kept my heart, mind and emotions in a difficult situation.

Today’s devotion delves into the second part of John 14:27, where Jesus continues His encouragement by saying “…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”.

Jesus knows that life often times presents us with catastrophes and wars that cause us to worry and fear as though we have no peace. Therefore, He has made provision for us to have His “peace” even before time memorial. Hence, the reason He encourages, “…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”.

The word “troubled” is the Greek word taresso, which is used in numerous places in the New Testament to mean to shake, to trouble, to disquiet, to unsettle, to perplex, to cause anxiety, or even to cause feelings of grief. It is the picture of someone feeling inwardly shaken, unsettled, confused, and upset. Have you ever felt that way? Then, you know precisely what I mean (Renner, 2016)!

These disquieting emotions usually lead to fear. I personally can attest to this fact because I have had this experience over and over again. Being on a roller-coaster ride with emotions that were out of control had become my way of life. That is why I believe Jesus went on to say “neither let it be afraid”.

The word “afraid” is from the word deilos, and gives a picture of a gripping fear or dread that produces a shrinking back or cowardice. In essence, it saps your ability to look at the problem head-on and causes you to retreat into your own mode of self-preservation – which, in effect, is cowardice or lack of courage to face what is before you (Renner, 2016).

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God’s Supernatural Peace

 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you…

– John 14:27

In January 2017 I travelled to the USA for medical purposes. I had gone to the USA several times before for vacation and to spend time with my brothers and their families who reside there. This time however, I was detained by immigration when I arrived at JFK airport after four in the morning. I was taken to a room where I was interrogated like a criminal, photographed, fingerprinted, and my personal belongings searched. My cell phone was taken away and I was asked for the password for my social media accounts, then they searched my cell phone, went on my Facebook page and read my messages. Then I was told that I am not allowed into the USA, my visa was cancelled, and they booked me a flight for the evening of that day to return home. I remained in the room from after four in the morning until after five the evening when they were getting ready to take me to the airline to board the plane back home.

Usually, in circumstances like this, my first inclination would have been to worry, to get anxious and depressed, to be afraid, and a host of other negative emotions. My life had often been on a roller-coaster ride with emotions that were out of control.

This time, that was not the case. I had a peace that I myself didn’t understand. Instead of allowing my thoughts to run wild and my emotions to control me, I asked where the bathroom was, went it there and had a talk with God. I said, “God, if it’s not Your will for me to be in the USA at this time after reaching so far, then I am ok with it because it means that You have another plan, a better plan for my health and healing, since You work all things together for my good because I love You and I am the called according to Your purpose (Romans 8:28). However, if it is Your will for me to be here and this is some plan of the enemy to prevent me from being here, then I agree with the prayer by Dr Cindy Trimm and I declare and decree that every immigration law, legislation, or person here today will line up with Your will and plan for my life at this time and accommodate my presence here. For the earth is Yours and the fullness thereof, the world and all they that dwell in it (Psalm 24:1). And the heart of the king is in Your hand Lord (Proverbs 21:1-3). I thank You Lord in Jesus’ name. Amen!”

After, I returned to my seat and the “peace” of God kept me all through that day as I waited for evening to come to return home.

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Would You Like God’s Peace to Keep Your Hearts and Minds?

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

– Philippians 4:7

There were times in my life when I had no peace. Anxiety and depression had literally taken hold of my life. My mind was bombarded with negative and irrational thoughts of lies that the enemy told me, and sadly I believed them. Anxiety and depression were plagues from the enemy to eradicate my soul day in and day out. I allowed them both to take the place of God’s peace in my heart, mind, and emotions. I sought peace in all the wrong places – looking for love and acceptance from family and friends hoping that will give me peace but the more I looked for love and acceptance, the more I felt unloved and rejected, I felt like no one cared. Also, I thought that I could have found peace in hurting myself so I attempted suicide many times hoping to end the pain but peace was not there. Nevertheless, God has been gracious and merciful to me. He taught me over the years (and is still teaching me) how to surrender to Him and fix my thoughts on Him so that instead of anxiety, His peace can keep my heart and mind.

It is inspiring to know that we can overcome anxiety and depression. Paul informs us that the consequence of having an attitude of prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving in everything is the “peace” of God.

Philippians 4:7 encourages us by saying “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.

Today I will like to draw your attention to the following words from the aforementioned verses in order to help you understand the true essence of this portion of Scripture.

The word “passeth” is the Greek word hyperecho. This is a compound of the words huper and echo. The word huper empirically mean over, above, and beyond. It portrays something that is way beyond measure. It conveys the idea of superiority; something that is utmost, paramount, foremost, first-rate, first-class, and top-notch; greater, higher, and better than, superior to; preeminent, dominant, and incomparable; more than a match for; unsurpassed or unequalled. The second part of the word “passeth” is the Greek word echo, this word means I have, as someone who holds something in his possession. It can be translated to keep; to possess; to have; to hold; or even to acquire (Renner, 2003).

The Greek word hyperecho which is formed when these two words huper and echo are compounded, used by Paul in Philippians 4:7, signifies a peace so superior that it is held high above all other type of peace. God’s peace is a type of peace that transcends, outdoes, surpasses, excels, rises above, and goes beyond and over the top of any other kind of peace (Renner, 2003).

Humanity has been searching and trying all sorts of things to bring them peace but to no avail. They may think they have found peace that lasts only for a while. That’s because there is no other peace in the world to be compared with the peace of God.

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Do Not Be Anxious for Anything!

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

– Philippians 4:6

I have had many experiences where my heart and mind were so overwhelmed by life’s events that anxiety took a hold of me. It automatically became my first response to everything, even the good things. My mind would become confused, my heart would palpitate so rapidly, my body would sweat, and many a times I would blackout. I felt like I had no control of my thoughts and actions. Many times, in order to end the horrible feeling of a panic attack, I exhibited some irrational behaviours that only caused me more harm than good, for which I later regretted. I went through all of the above because I was nervous about everything. I didn’t trust in my Heavenly Father’s care for me. I thought I trusted Him but my actions indicated otherwise. Not that I didn’t want to trust Him but trust had been an issue for me for a long time. I found it difficult to trust because I felt hurt, rejected, and disappointed so many time by people who I held in high esteem that I transferred that mistrust to God unconsciously.

Philippians 4:6 encourages us by saying “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God”.

Today I will like to draw your attention to the following words from the aforementioned verse in order to help you understand the true essence of this portion of Scripture.

The word “careful” is translated in other versions of the Bible as “anxious” or “worry”. We must not be anxious or worry about anything. Anxiety has a way of creeping up on some of us for no apparent reason. It is an emotion that often times has no precipitation cause for it to be experienced. This is one of the ways the enemy of our souls lobs us into a cataclysm of anxiety and panic, that sometimes cause us to do things that we are later remorseful for. It can cripple both our physical and emotional functioning as well as put us in spiritual bondages that hinder our relationship to God.

The word “everything” comes from the Greek panti. It holds everything. It is an all-inclusive word – including the finest, most minute details. Friends, God cares about everything that concerns your life. Therefore, He invites you to come boldly to Him and He waits eagerly for you.

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