As I was about to stand up to speak to the prospective corp-members that night, I could see the apprehension written on their faces. I could palpate the thoughts going on in their minds as they await their call up letters.
I have been there too. Questions run through your mind. Where will I be posted? How will it be? Will it be North, South or East? Will I get good accommodation? Hope it won’t be a village?
We all can also talk about moments when one becomes practically traumatized as the thought of how things will turn out flooded the heart.
The fear of the future is one thing that is depriving many of the joy of today.
Worry does not solve the anticipated problem; rather it beclouds your ability to generate ideas required to deal with it and siphons you of the strength you need today.
It is rare to find couples who didn’t have some form of fear as they prepare for the wedding. There is that little anxiety, even on the night before the wedding, as you finally go to the altar.
Brides have told me how they quietly ask the question in their hearts as they walk down the aisle, “Lord, I hope I am walking down to the right man?” A man once said that he prayed to God on the morning of his wedding, “Lord, tell me this woman is not my wife and I will run away.”
All these are borne out of the fear of the unknown. What if the man or woman was pretending? What if there were things unknown? What if things didn’t turn out as planned? One reason some are still single is the fear of the unknown. They want a perfect condition or a perfect mate. On the contrary, the married knows that marriage is ultimately a journey of faith.
As we proceed in the New Year, there can also be that tendency to live in fear as you anticipate how things will turn out. This is more so if there has not been much accomplishment in the past or there seems to be a need in your life you couldn’t meet. It’s been there for long but somehow you can’t seem to fix it.
The enemy may already be working to get you worked up as we begin the second month. He may quietly begin to tell you, “It’s the second month. This year is passing you by again.”
As I think of the huge projects and goals ahead of me in this new year, my heart almost fell into fear but the Lord gave me a word that has helped me so far.
I believe this word will help you too. If you can hold on to this word, it has the power to fuel your heart with hope and courage. It was the same word the Lord gave me for those corp members and their faces became bright. The word is simple yet powerful if you can meditate on its essence. I have had to remind myself anytime I am tempted to worry or become anxious.
Friend, you can’t really be so sure of the future. You may have an expected result based on your plans and the things you will do. However, you cannot guarantee your future. Life sometimes happens and the result we anticipated didn’t come out as expected.
However, one thing is sure even if you didn’t get the results you expected – the Lord will be there in your future. You don’t have to worry about how things will turn out. The events of life may vary but the presence of the Lord is constant. Irrespective of what happens, God will be there with you.
Don’t allow the enemy to threaten or occupy your heart with fear. Don’t let him deprive of you of today’s joy because you aren’t sure of tomorrow, the Lord will be there. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
And it’s not just that He will be there but He is already there. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who knows the end from the beginning. He knows your end. He has set your end before He began your creation. He has seen your future.
He is Jehovah Shamma, the Lord is there!
A story is told of a father and his son watching a football match. The boy was apprehensive because the other team was mounting pressure on the team he was supporting.
Each time he looked at his father, he saw that he was calm and coordinated. He sometimes laughed despite what the opponent was doing. He will often tell his son, “Don’t worry, your team will win.”
Eventually, his team won despite the pressure mounted by the opponent. When the son inquired how his father knew and why he was so confident, the father replied, “I watched the match over the night. I knew the team won. To you, it was the first time but to me, it is a replay.”
You are also apprehensive because this is your first time. You have never passed through life before. But before God, it is a replay. He knew your end before you were born. He knows you will get through the current challenges even though you are currently confused. He knew you will have a job though you don’t know how. He knew you will have a baby even though everything is saying the contrary. This is why God has been telling you not to worry because He is already in your future. The Lord is there!
This confidence settles it and it’s the word I have been using to confront every fear of the unknown. When the fear of how I am going to get all the money that I need to fund my dreams and projects, I am quick to remind myself, “There Lord is already there.” When I think of when certain challenges ensue, I’ll tell my dear heart, “Heart, don’t worry, the Lord is there.”
In Isaiah 45:2-3, He promised,
“I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.”
Just like the ark in the wilderness, God has gone ahead of us to find us a resting place (Numbers 10:33). The Lord will be there!
My life is a testimony to this word. I have been through things but looking back I realized that God is committed to His word. He has been there. I met Him right there in the midst of my troubles and trials.
He was there when I lost my expensive phones and I thought it was the end of the world. He was there through primary, secondary and tertiary education. He was there going through one year of national youth service. When others died, I survived. He was there when I was bereaved and I thought I would never be comforted. The Lord was there!
And if you look into your life right now, you can also attest to His faithfulness. He was there when you had no job. He was there when you had no mate. He was there when you had no kids. He has changed your story. And here you are today, a living proof of His faithfulness.
This is why you shouldn’t allow the enemy to steal your joy because of an outstanding challenge or the projects ahead of you. The Lord is already there. He’ll help you and see you through.
Don’t sit down there and allow depression deactivate you. There is a lot to do. Don’t give ears to naysayers. Rise up an act.
The servant of Abraham said something profound after He had confirmed Rebecca to be from the lineage of Abraham and all signs are fulfilled that she was appointed to be his wife. He said,
“As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren” Genesis 24:27 NKJV.
He didn’t want to take that trip. He was afraid he won’t be able to get Isaac a wife. There was the fear of the unknown. But despite his fears, he rose up and went his way. And the rest is history.
God has the chance to direct you as you begin to move towards the direction of his purpose and will for your life. God does not lead the stationary. Don’t worry, act and walk in the light you already have. More light will be given you as you follow the way.
The Lord is already there. Just “commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass” Psalm 37:5 NKJV. The Lord is there. He has gone ahead of you into every hour, minute and seconds of 2019. It will be your best year ever.
The Lord is there!
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