FEAR

When I was in grade-school my dad was in the military. I can remember when I had to go to the hospital on the base for my check-ups and shots. First of all, I hate needles (with a passion - I HATE THEM) and I remember once when I had to have all of these shots for school. I can remember sitting in a room full of military men and women and just about passing out from a shot I was just given. I was embarrassed because they were all watching me, but I cannot handle shots. They had to take me into another room and let me lay down. There was this one time when I had to have a blood test done and I sat there, terrified. I did not want them to come near me with a needle and I really didn't like the thought of them drawing blood. But, one gentleman in uniform gave me a reasuring smile as he had his blood drawn and I felt a little better. As a little girl, I thought it strange that so many people from the military were at the hospital. I had thought that they were the "strong" ones who don't get sick or hurt. But, I was wrong. In fact, these people were more prone to get hurt than the average person.


As Christians, we are on the front-lines of battle every day. Especially those who are leaders and are following hard after God and His will. Even Christians get confused when they see their leaders get attacked because they have this idea in their minds that leaders don't get attacked. Wow - that is so not true. Being on the front-lines means that you ARE going to be attacked. The ones farther back are a little safer. Why do you think that the Bible says to "put on the whole armor?" God knows what we face every day. Jesus experianced what we experiance, so there isn't anything new under the sun that He doesn't know about. That is why He is telling us to "be ready" and "stand firm."


One plan of battle that was used a lot in the earlier centuries is for the front-lines to stand their ground. If you moved out of formation you could cause serious damage and even death to those fighting with you. But, seriously, the front-lines were the first ones to be attacked and the first ones to die. Imagine standing there as the enemy's army advances towards your lines ... you know that once they reach you, they will try to kill you ... your heart beats so loudly that it pounds painfuly in your ears along with the never ceasing sound of the drum beat of war ... you can barely make out the orders "HOLD!" ... every muscle in you wants to flee ... your knuckles turn white as you clutch your weapon ... sweat beads down into your eyes, bringing stinging tears that run down your cheeks ... STEADY! ... your legs feel rooted to the ground, your knees as weak as jelly ... STEADY! ... your breath comes out in painful shudders and you clamp your teeth shut fighting against the urge to faint ... the army advances ... STEADY! ... you can make out the forms and faces ... the ENEMY ... STEADY! ... you remember what you are fighting for ... HOLD! ... the ENEMY that has been destroying your family, your home, everything it can get its hands on ... HOLD! ... you feel the urge to fight rise up within you, spilling out into a battle cry as the final order of "CHARGE" is given. The Enemy's greatest tactic is fear. He will use it for all it's worth. Don't give in! Rise above it. You do not fight alone. The one you are fighting for will be right beside you. Don't allow the Enemy to destroy you and everything you love. Fight back.

2Ti 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith."