Between the idea that we are on the brink of World War III and that Armageddon is almost here, not to mention the fact that tensions are already high, emotional fatigue is real, and the knowledge we consume on a daily basis is not good for our overall health, it’s no wonder we all feel this way! That’s a lot, and it’s completely okay to recognize that.
The accumulation of everything that currently floods our field of vision, falls within earshot, fills our screens and even casually seeps into our conversations has a weight of its own. It’s a burden that we all feel and experience strangely. This “noise” is accompanied by pain that stirs up that nauseating feeling in the pit of your stomach, sparking anxiety, maybe even fear. Worst of all, he is neither quiet, nor polite, nor shy; it’s loud, demanding, aggressively begging for your attention, and if left unchecked, can cause a damaging downward spiral.
So yes, let’s talk about it! Because as believers, we must understand the nature of the overwhelming amount of information we receive daily and realize that it is a call to action. Are you ready to sort it all out and focus on what really matters? Then take a deep breath, tell yourself that everything will be okay, and grab the Bible from your nightstand. From one sister to another, it’s time to stand your ground, to remember who you are and who you follow!
Understanding the Enemy’s Deception
A faithful believer, I know the news has been heavy lately, but I want you to put this truth in your heart before you dig deeper: God is not silent on these issues. He doesn’t ignore the dire minute-by-minute updates or shrink from the looming evils of this world. God is well aware of what is happening. However, these recent outbreaks of evil are part of a larger plan, and the enemy is only pounced on everything and striving to proclaim victory. This is written for us in the books of Daniel, Ezikel, Revelation, among others. Satan wants your mind confused, your heart broken, and your emotions tormented. He wants you and me (God’s chosen people) to lose faith, feel completely helpless, and fail to see what God says in His Word. It’s all part of “his” game. This has always been the case, from the very beginning (Genesis 3).
Please. Please don’t fall into the traps of the enemy! Yes, these times are indeed wild, frenetic and even alarming. But it is written that all these events will come true. The enemy wants you to scroll through the doom and gloom and stay glued to the news. He wants you to cower in fear and stay focused on the perpetual tragedies, conspiracies, twists and turns, and disasters. He wants to keep you away from the truth!
After all, that’s what he is. He is always on the lookout, waiting for someone to devour him (1 Peter 5:8). Crawling in the wings waiting for the moment to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He raises false prophets deceive and manipulate (1 John 4:1). He is the father of lies (John 8:44), a false light (2 Corinthians 11:14), proud (Isaiah 14:12-15), and the master of confusion (1 Corinthians 4:33). He is the ruler of this broken and fallen world (John 12:31). If we want to fight back, we need to understand who we are dealing with!
Know the nature of God
Oh, but don’t be discouraged, because we are on the winning side. As followers of Christ, we know the author and creator of this life. One who is consistent and constant, being the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). His mercies are new every day (Lamentations 3:22-23), His love lasts forever (Jeremiah 31:3), and He does all things for good (Romans 8:28). He is sovereign, just, holy and virtuous (1 John 4:8) The support of this life with an active and vibrant presence (Colossians 1:17). His eternal kingdom will have no end (Luke 1:33). The riches and glory that await her beloved children are beyond our wildest imagination (1 Corinthians 2:9).
God’s truth, justice, and mercy in these truly discouraging times are exactly what we need to hold on to, for they are the key to hope! Yet we must also recognize that we will fail and falter because of our sinful nature and the reckless patterns of this world. This means that it is imperative to take steps to deliberately come into agreement with the Father.
Sweet sister, now is the time to seriously seek wisdom and discernment on how to resist the spiritual warfare we find ourselves in, plan accordingly, and equip ourselves with confidence (Ephesians 6:14-17). Are you ready? So read on…
Anoint your house
Ephesians 6:12 tells us that we are not fighting battles of flesh and blood, but against powerful authorities and leaders, as well as against spiritual forces of darkness and evil. This verse makes a rather bold statement, but also provides a warning to protect areas of our lives where we may seek safety and refuge. The same is true in our walk of faith and in our homes.
When the world feels heavy and the enemy is loud, our home should provide comfort and a safe space to retreat from the noise. After all, isn’t that why we have locks on our doors and fences around our yards? It’s about creating healthy and safe boundaries. Even more, when we seek to fill our homes with truth and build them on a foundation of faith, it sends a clear signal to the enemy that we have taken steps to safeguard our “fortress” and that everything we own ultimately belongs to God.
There are several ways to anoint your home. This can be as simple as praying in every room and placing scripture around your home or anointing your doors, windows and walkways with oil as a symbolic gesture to invite the Holy Spirit to reside. This act demonstrates that you and your family are striving to obey God and live according to His will.
Proclaiming the Scriptures Aloud
In Luke 4Jesus shows us the power of proclaiming the Scriptures out loud. Since God speaks to us and connects with us through His Word, and commands us to be more like Christ, there are many wonderful benefits to reading Scripture aloud.
Not only does this grow us as believers, but it replaces “noise” with truth. It also puts the enemy in their place, reminding them who you serve! Try a few scriptures below when worry, fear, or anxiety sets in and try to steal your peace.
When you feel anxious, proclaim Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7And John 14:27.
When fear consumes you, proclaim Isiah 41:10, 2 Timothy 1:7And Psalm 34:4.
When the enemy is loud, proclaim Deuteronomy 28:7Isaiah 54:17, Psalm 91And Ephesians 6:11-18.
Practice stillness and silence
If you haven’t noticed, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to practice stillness and seek silence. It’s almost as if we’ve forgotten what it’s actually like. Maybe we have become uncomfortable in quiet and the silence feels awkward. It’s usually in these moments that we find “comfort” in looking at our phone or putting on our headphones. But what if God called for a different response?
Psalm 46:10 orders us to stay calm and know God. However, we cannot truly tune in to Him if we are continually immersed in the noise that accompanies the ding of a new notification, the distraction of political divisions, the latest update, or the endless scrolling that only fuels our already heightened emotions.
So how can we train ourselves to be still and be quiet in a world that is so demanding and constantly demanding our attention? It starts with a simple gesture and grows from there. Maybe it’s leaving the radio off on the way to work and just praying instead. Maybe it’s sitting in a quiet part of your home, taking deep, intentional breaths, allowing your body to relax and find peace. You can also find calm in nature by taking a morning or evening walk or writing your heart out in a gratitude journal. Ultimately, when we incorporate calm into our routine and step away from all distractions, we are able to connect more deeply with God and tune into His presence.
A prayer for you
Merciful God, today I am raising the sweet sister who needs your presence. Please reach out and help her create boundaries in her life that will allow her to tune out the noise and tune into the nature of your voice. May she be able to discern the truth from all lies as she seeks Your wisdom and relies on the Holy Spirit for discernment. Allow his home to be a safe haven, give him powerful scriptures to rely on, and provide him with practical ways to seek calm, silence, and peace. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray. Amen.
Photo credit: ©GettyImage/Daniela Jovanovska-Hristovska
