The Antidote for Anxiety and Depression: Trust in Abba Father’s Care – Pt 15
Strength and Courage in the Midst of Difficult People!
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
– Deuteronomy 31:6
Sometimes we are faced with situations in which we have to deal with people who try to stop us from entering our promise land, and depending on who those people are, we become afraid, anxious, and even depressed. These troubling emotions prevent us from accomplishing the purposes for which we are mandated by God. Have you ever been in a situation like this? I know I have.
We are not the only ones who have had to deal with difficult people who try to stop us from entering our promise land. Neither were we the first and we wouldn’t be the last. As long as we are in this world, there will come a time when we will encounter the challenge of dealing with difficult people who are trying to stop us from entering our promise land. It maybe persons on the job conspiring against you to prevent you from getting that promotion. It maybe that man or woman who is trying to break up your marriage and destroy your family. It maybe that person who is trying to prevent you from getting that scholarship. It maybe someone who is trying to block your favour with the bank to prevent you from obtaining that land, house or vehicle. Or maybe it is some other circumstances. Tell me, who wouldn’t be tempted to become anxious and fearful in any of the aforementioned scenarios?
The children of Israel were also in one such predicament so Moses stirred their faith and hope in God as he assured them of God’s constant presence with them to help them be successful in facing the nations that were trying to hinder them from entering the promise land. In Deuteronomy 31:6 Moses told them, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
Friends, even when you are in situations where you must deal with difficult people who are trying to stop you from entering your promise land, you need not fear or be anxious. Instead you can “… be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10) because God is your source of strength. He is the strength of your heart (Psalm 73:26).
You can also be courageous – go brave knowing who you are in Christ and that the Greater One lives in you. Therefore, you are an overcomer and more than a conqueror. John in 1 John 4:4 states that, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world”.
It is apt and expedient that you be strong and courageous in the midst of such difficult people because you are not facing them alone. You are assured of the presence of Jehovah Shammah with you always. He will never let you down nor desert you. You don’t have to be preoccupied that He will not come to your rescue because He is too busy helping others. He is the Omnipresent God. He cares for and loves you equally as much as He does anyone else. Hence, you can stand before them with your shoulders square and look them in their eyes with eyes of confidence – not in man but in your God.
Have a blessed day!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father I give You all the honour and glory and worship You always. Thank You for Your everlasting presence and for always making a way for me even in the midst of difficult people who try to hinder my blessings. I declare today that because Jehovah Shammah is my Father, I am strong and courageous. Therefore, I stand before any enemy with confident assurrance that my God fights for me. For this my mind is preserved in His perfect peace, and I am blessed beyond measure. I pray this by faith in Jesus’ name. Amen!
