Last week, God dropped a rhema word (an inspired word, a living word) into my spirit while I was sitting at the stoplights in town.
It came as quick as a lightning bolt. As soon as I heard it, I knew it carried substance. Immediately, I had Lil Sweet Pea write it down. “If you carry fear, you are partnering with fear in the region and building a stronghold of fear. You are part of the problem not the solution.”
What an incredible word from the Lord. If I am carrying fear in my heart, I am not carrying peace. And if I am carrying fear, I am actually causing the fear to become stronger over the atmosphere of the city and/or region. Dear ones, it is very important to note that each of us have a part to play in what kind of atmosphere our communities experience. We are either part of the problem or the solution.
If we choose to keep filling our hearts and minds with the promises of God, we will be carriers of peace; changing the atmosphere completely! Just as a mailman carries mail, we are carriers. He may be bringing good news (a beautiful Christmas card from a friend or loved one) or he may be carrying bad news (a big bill or even junk mail). We can determine to choose what kind of mail we will read. We choose what kind of thoughts we think. And those thoughts will determine what we carry; either the goodness and glory of God or the evil and darkness of the evil one.
Lil Sweet Pea recently memorized Psalm 91 (highly recommended). In that passage, we are told that if we go into the secret place with the Lord, “...we are hidden in the strength of God Most High. He’s the hope that holds me and the Stronghold to shelter me...” It goes on to say “...He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy. ...When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm. How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us?” (Portions of Psalm 91 in the Passion Translation). These are excellent promises to meditate on! The more we meditate on the truth of God’s Word, the more it will renew our thinking and bring positive results.
This week’s theme for advent is peace. I have Good news! The peace of God does not come when everything is all perfect in your world. In fact, resting in the peace of God can come during the most trying of situations. If we live in a state of peace, every facet of our lives will benefit. If we are peace carriers, the world around us will feel its effect.
How do we effectively and practically live this out? Simply... find a promise in the Word of God that pertains to your situation. Write it out. Read it. Speak it. Memorize it. Then each time a dark thought comes, use the Word of God as a weapon against that thought. Saying it out loud is best. Here’s an example: When a fear-filled thought comes you say, “Fear, leave in Jesus’ name because My God says according to Isaiah 54:13, “All my children are taught of the Lord and great is their peace and undisturbed composure.”
As you grow in this, use the Word of God to build a stronghold of peace in your life and in our region. Let’s be carriers of peace this Christmas season.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
