I recently read several prophetic words speaking of the importance of staying focused on God by resisting being led off course by seemingly innocuous bunny trails. Sometimes, though, the distractions that threaten us are not so harmless. Sometimes, our instant obedience and our full attention are required if we are to complete the assignment God has given us. Fear is the enemy’s favourite go-to weapon at such pivotal moments.
Years ago, during worship, I sensed God’s protective hand stretched out toward His people. I perceived that He was urging them to take that hand. However, gut-wrenching fear caused by potentially life-altering crises in their lives was stopping them from accepting His invitation. Their focus was on everything else but Him.
As I pressed in, I quieted my heart. I felt God had more to say. By no means did I have any sense that the following vision was speaking of impending doom or was a warning. On the contrary, it was oozing with His tender heart toward us when fear threatens to overwhelm us.
In my mind’s eye, I saw a girl, around five or six years old, panicked. Bombs were exploding all around her. I could feel the real and imminent danger. I could almost smell the gunpowder in my nostrils. Buildings were crumbling, and debris spilt over onto the road. The girl was young enough that she didn’t understand what was going on around her, but she was old enough to want to flee.
Her father was by her side. Without breaking stride, he gently reminded her to pay attention. She had to trust him if he was to guide her through the danger zone. She had to be alert and not resistant to his direction. She had to obey his directives without hesitation. But she was panicking and trying to tug her hand away from her father so she could run and hide.
He did not rebuke her or yank her arm to force her to go forward. Instead, he crouched in front of her. In a firm yet reassuring tone, he commanded her to look into his face. He positioned himself in such a way that his daughter would have to break eye contact to focus on anything else.
A rocket flashed overhead, and she looked skyward, whimpering. His voice was compelling and could be heard above the noise all around her.
“Look into my eyes! Listen. Focus on my voice! I will take care of you! I will walk you through what is ahead of us, but you must keep your hand in mine and don’t pull away! Remember, I have always kept you safe, and I always will. I will carry you when you are too tired to walk. The same arms that tossed you up into the air and caught you again and again when we played together will carry you through this time of danger.”
As the vision faded, I knew I was seeing a picture of our loving Father God and the way He calls us to stay close when everything around us is screaming at us to panic.
As I write this today, I know people are reading this who needed to read this. Perhaps your family is facing a crisis. Perhaps you’re waiting for medical test results. Perhaps everything is blowing up in your face. Perhaps news came today that changed everything. Perhaps you’ve lost your job or are facing an uncertain future.
Resist the urge to retreat, and resist the urge to panic and run ahead of God. Place your hand in His. Keep your eyes focused on Him. Keep your ears and heart open so you can hear His voice. Trust Him and take Him at His word. He will guide you through this, whatever *this* might be, as you allow Him to lead.
The Lord says to His church:
“Your gaze must be fixed on the bigness of ME and not the enormity of your present circumstances or any potential calamity. The bigger your mountains, the longer your gaze needs to rest on My face. I see the same things you do, but I see those things from the perspective of being the Almighty.
“Gird up, rise up, be of good faith! You are entering into a season where your focus must remain on My goodness. You must know Me as majestic and powerful. Meditate on how big I am! I will triumph; I will see you safely through.
“Hold on! Deliberately look for the things I am already doing in your life, your homes, your cities and your nations. I am on the move! Write these things down. Make note of what I am doing and what I have done. Your testimonies will overcome the evil one through the blood of My Son.
“The enemy will try to make himself appear larger and stronger than he actually is. He will try to intimidate you by posturing and by using smoke and mirrors. Keep your focus on how able I am to defeat the enemy by exposing deception.
“However, do not be so foolish and presumptuous as to assume you have the wits to defeat the enemy on your own. The enemy has sharp claws. You will only defeat the enemy by keeping the posture of a child grasping My hand.
“Hold on!”
Proverbs 4:25 — “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.”
If this hits home for you, I invite you to copy and paste this declaration and speak it out loud when fear threatens to take centre stage:
“I will not listen to the voice of fear. I will not retreat, and I will not run ahead of God’s directive. I choose this day to take my thoughts captive, for my thoughts are not His thoughts. I thank You, God, that Your thoughts, plans and strategies are higher than mine. You see the whole picture; You know the way through. I choose to trust You this day.”
All Bible verses attributed to the ESV version unless otherwise indicated.
Until next time,
2018 Katherine Walden
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