My prayer: “Lord, open the eyes of my heart afresh, that I may see you and know you, and be a faithful and diligent witness for you, a lover of you and you of me”
The Lord: ‘I have committed myself to you, you are mine, and I am yours. You are not a victim of your circumstances, none of these things effect my love for you, my love is steady and sure, steadfast and true. Do not fear the future, or fear what the future will bring. I know all your tomorrows, and I plan and order your steps, so take courage in me, and trust in me for the days that lie ahead.’
The enemy seeks to shape your future using today’s fears. He seeks to put fears into your life today, fears about what may, or may not happen in the future, be this tomorrow, or next week, or next year. If he can get you to believe in his lies and a fear laden outcome then this is how he shapes your future. He does this by trying to influence your thoughts and the mind-sets that he brings to you hoping that you will believe them, like bait on a hook, and once you bite he has got you. He starts to reel you in shaping what you believe about the future along the way.
This is a sneaky way to do it, but it works. If he can control you in advance of things happening then he is able to control you through the decisions and choices you make. This is the way of fear, to get you to believe in a negative or damaging outcome, which then gives the enemy permission to bring it about.
So, be mindful. ‘Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life’ [Prov 4:23]. Become diligent at taking captive every though that sets itself up against the knowledge of God [2 Cor 10:5], even if those thoughts sound plausible and reasonable, lean into, and speak out God’s truth instead.
The enemy is into entrapment and slavery. What he seeks is to get your agreement, mental ascent, to a particular outcome, or the set of negative circumstances that he has fed into your thoughts. He is inviting you to agree with them in advance of them happening. If you believe them then he has control of your future, this is how he controls your tomorrows from the thoughts he has manipulated today. Don’t let this happen, don’t co-operate with the enemies ways, or his fears. Instead reject them, lean into the Lord and His word, and trust in His ways, and His truths.
Do not surrender your future to the fear of what may happen, do not play out these scenarios in your mind, press into peace, and receive the peace of the Lord, which passes all understanding. Jesus said, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, who the Father will send to you, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” [John14:26-27]
Jesus is the Prince of Peace and He brings comfort and strength to His children, to those who believe in him. The future that the Lord has for you looks totally different to the future that the enemy has for you. Which future will you choose? The Lord’s way, or the way of fear, or even your own way? You have the ability to walk in any one you choose. Which way will you go?
Prayer: ‘Forgive me Lord for allowing fear to creep into my thoughts and my heart, where I wanted to be in control of my life instead of submitting my life fully to You, and allowing You to be in control. I place my trust in your, for You will make me to lie down in green pastures, and lead me beside still waters, restoring my soul, and leading me in Your ways for Your name’s sake [Ps 23:2-3].’
I choose to repent of living out of my fears, and ask for your forgiveness, which is freely given and I choose to receive it [1 John 1:9]. In the name of Jesus I choose life, and the good things that Jesus has prepared in advance for me [Eph 2:10]. I submit myself to God, [James 4:7-8, 10] and I renounce Satan, bind, disarm, and disempower all his works, ways and demonic spirits in and around my life. I receive the impartation of the Holy Spirit, and the fullness of the life that He brings to me in Christ Jesus.
Be Inspired.