Be Not Afraid: God is in the Middle of the Battle, by Nancy Flory

By Nancy Flory, The Stream, October 25, 2023

Wars. Rumors of wars. What we see on TV lately no doubt produces fear, anxiety and depression. I know because I’ve experienced some of those emotions. But what do we do about it?

Matthew 24:5-8 says, “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”

“See to it that you are not alarmed,” Jesus said.

I believe that we are living in the last days. I believe we are seeing fulfillment of prophecy, as The Stream has covered. But what now? Are we to focus on the fear and anxiety that we have when we watch the news? Are we alarmed?

One of the many themes in the Bible is “fear not.” One of the best-known passages of this is Isaiah 41:10, a verse I’ve known since childhood when I struggled with anxiety. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Think, too, of David’s Psalm 27:3, which seems particularly relevant now: “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.” Why was he confident? Verse 1 explains: The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?”

Continue reading at The Stream

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