September 3 Thought for the day...No Fear

There is much going on in our world that we have even reason to fear. War, disease, terrorism, abuse, uncertainty with prices, government, and business. Paul says before the end times things will be even worse but have no fear!!!

"not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come" 2 Thessalonians 2:2

Paul is warning the church very clearly here.  The phrase "not to be soon shaken" means something that will come about very quickly, suddenly. In other words, fearful things will happen in our lives powerfully and suddenly and the tense shows us that it will not be just a one-time occurrence, but ongoing occurrences and we are not to "waver, be shaken, or moved" in any way. Paul was challenging us to not allow ourselves to be fearful or anxious because of anything.

The phrase "in mind" has to do with everything in the realm of intellect, will, emotions, and the ability to think reason and decide. Whoever or whatever controls the mind controls the person. If we chose to allow fear or anxiety to dictate to us, then we will be overrun by it every time. Paul's warning is, "of course things are going to get bad but don't you remember God is in control, He will keep you in perfect peace if your MIND is on Him, not the circumstances, not what the doctor says, not what your bank account says..." As Christ-followers, it is simply unacceptable to be overcome with fear and anxiety! Once we know that we can begin to ask the Lord to show us how to live that way.

The word "troubled" means an inward fright, a "jumpiness" or an ongoing state of nervousness. Once again, Paul is saying things are going to get worse before the end. It will be continually shocking, scary, heart wrenching but don't be afraid. Keep your mind at peace, knowing God is with you, for you, and in control. Don't get nervous or jumpy. Don't be on edge! God has got this!

If God has got this scary series of events planned that are going to rock the world in the last days, we need to be practicing now to have NO FEAR! What are you facing right now? The same God that calls us to not be shaken to not allow our minds to be overwhelmed during the final pangs of this world is with you right now and challenging you to practice NO FEAR!