"I took my small dog for a walk one night," my friend Ian said. "The area was dark except for a light near the big fountain in the courtyard of the apartment complex."
"I heard my neighbor yell from her second-floor balcony. But the sound of the water in the nearby fountain drowned her words. So I returned the greeting. Since it was Christmas time, I assumed she had yelled out Merry Christmas."
"Then her shout became louder, 'Look behind you, Ian'!"
I turned. And my eyes caught the glimpse of a big, furious javelina charging at me and my small dog. Heart thumping, with one swoop I scooped my puppy. And I took off like a bullet. That's when I had my Forest Gump moment. My neighbor shouted, 'Run, Ian, run!'"
Ian had his neighbor, but we have the Lord shouting to our soul, "Run, run as fast as you can." When would He say that? Each time we're being attacked by the beast of fear.
You're been there, haven't you? During dark nights, out of nowhere, with no warning, fear charges at you. Fearful that money will run out. Fearful our kids won't grow up like we want them to. Afraid of losing our health. Fearful to be alone. Afraid to stay with the wrong person...afraid to leave them. Afraid we'll never heal from the heartache.
Goodness gracious, God is shouting to you and me, "Run, run from that spirit of fear."
And with the same authority as David did, with the same assurance and assertion, we declare: "The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1, NIV).
Father, how foolish to be afraid, knowing you're the stronghold of my life, of my decisions, of circumstances, relationships and my future. With your power working in me, I have the strength, the courage and the authority to defeat any attack of fear. In Jesus's name, amen.
Janet P. Eckles
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