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The Rise of Fear

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

This weekend I watched Rise of the Guardians with my girls. No matter how old I get I will always love animation. We settled under the blankets and with ice cream bowls filled, we started the DVD. As I watched the movie, I was inspired by the parallel in the story and this world.

In the movie the struggle for the future of the children between the Guardians and Pitch Black with his “Night Mares” was an excellent example of the struggle that exist in the unseen world. The villain, Pitch was determined to fill the dreams of the children with fear. With the brush of his fingertip the black fright devoured joy, faith, and love. With nothing left to believe in, the children began to sink into lives ruled by foreboding and dread of the darkness. Their laughter ended and everything seemed bleak.

Their faith in the Guardians waned and one by one the sentinels could no longer be seen or felt by the children. Darkness began to reign.

But one child remained faithful and refused to give into the fear. It was his faith that gave the Guardians the ability to crush Pitch leaving him impotent and consumed by his own Night Mares.

It is much the same in our lives when fear creeps into our dreams. As fear swallows us, the darkness seems to be all we can see. We lose sight of the cross; we forget the battle has been won. Our imagination runs amuck and soon the fear draws doubt, anger, guilt and shame.

Many times in our lives, we are touched by trepidation maybe by a bad diagnosis, loss of a job, trouble in the marriage, low bank account or loneliness. Whatever it may be, it quickly consumes our thoughts, fuels our imaginations and clouds our eyes. Our focus is compromised and all we see is the darkness and all we feel is the anxiety.

Recently, I have been dealing with a fear. My mind plays out scenarios and my anxiety mounts. My imagination runs wild and the fear grows. I lose sleep, my stomach churns and I struggle. Fear is a ruthless opponent it has no pity and is determined to bind you with alarm and darkness within your mind. But it is not supposed to be that way. You have the power, the ability to be freed from the fears that lurk in your thoughts.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us that it is the Might of God that cast aside the strongholds; His spirit gives us the power to control the imaginations and recognize the things that are contrary to God. It is the faith in the Power of God and the Blood that overcomes the threat of the consuming fear.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7