The devil is a terrorist.
My friend, Jeff, pointed out yesterday that while the motivating force behind heaven’s actions is love, the motivating force behind the powers of evil is fear.
The world is saturated in fear. We are easily manipulated by fear. All stress is fear based and asks “What if [insert nightmare here]?”
Graham Cooke points out that fear is a low-budget item for the enemy of our souls. But God’s love? Love is costly. And He was willing to pay the price.
The devil is nasty. Terror is custom-made; it hits where you are most vulnerable. Many of our friends, some of our family have experienced these kind of sneak attacks lately. I have too.
Jeff pointed out that those who have turned to Christ learn to thrive instead by breathing the joyful, peaceful atmosphere of heaven like breathing through an oxygen mask. If you panic, if you pull your mask off you will immediately breathe in the poisonous atmosphere of fear that saturates the airwaves.
When we keep our focus on Christ we build a relationship with him. When we express thanksgiving for what he has already done, praise him for his character and attributes we are taking time to breathe the cleansing pneuma of the Holy Spirit.
When we cry. “Abba! Father!” and rest our weary heads on the chest of the One who loves us most the atmosphere changes. It expands from the kind offered via oxygen mask that falls down in emergencies to fill entire bio-domes where the Kingdom of heaven is being established in a community and where Christ’s love is at the center of all our actions.
Love casts out fear.
At the moment I am conscious of the need to firmly hold that mask of thanksgiving and praise and trust close to my face and to reject clouds of toxic fear swirling in the atmosphere. The joy of the Lord is my strength. I am loved by the Creator of the universe. I’m no longer a slave to fear. I am a child of God.
No matter which way the storm winds blow I am still a much loved child of God. If you want to attack me, you’re going to have an encounter with Him.
John, the disciple who knew he was loved, wrote:
Delight yourselves in God, yes, find your joy in him at all times. Have a reputation for gentleness, and never forget the nearness of your Lord.
Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.
Save
Charis: Subject to Change 
Love this post! And we need to always remember that even Satan is UNDER the authority of Jesus Christ!!! 🙂 ❤
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We do need to remember! Thank you, Natalie!
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You’re welcome Charis‼️😊❤️
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You combined all of these truths and real life challenges soooo well…Appreciate your gift to the Body…and me…hugs
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Hugs back.
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Thank you Charis, it has been a while since I commented. Lots has happened in this journey of life of mine. Today your post came when I needed it the most. The Holy Sprit is amazing. Thank for the song I did needed to remember that I am a child of God. How refreshing is His Holy Name! Thank you again Charis and God Bless you abundantly.
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Well, this is just wonderful. And so, so very true.
I also wonder about people I know, former clients, perhaps a former spouse…who have deep deep seated anxiety disorders where they are often moments away from a panic attack.
While I don’t dispute the truth of what you say, I also know many people who “believe” the exact same thing. Yet, they also hear it at the same time as a confirmation of how they are getting a failing grade in the faith. To be told over and over to “believe” as an intellectual endeavour feeds this. They may not even have a clue that there are other ways to believe (as in full trust + commitment). They can’t seem to find people in the faith who can understand without feeling like they are hearing the same platitudes.
I don’t have anything particularly astute or wise to say, except that you write truth. And truth evades some people in their lives, even when they are strong believers. Being told they don’t “believe” enough doesn’t necessarily help. It may be true, but where are the believers to help them navigate that?
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