How to Overcome Fear预览

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace, it wasn’t their choice to go there. It was enforced by someone in authority. What our world is going through right now because of the Covid-19 pandemic may feel the same. Though the circumstances are different, we can learn from these three Hebrew men how to make the best of our furnace time. 

They were thrown together. They were not alone in the furnace. Since you are in lockdown right now, spend time with your family. Video chat with your friends. Don’t be alone. Start a small group on Zoom. Do whatever you need to do so that you are not going through this alone.

They were loosed. Under the order of the king they were thrown bound into the fiery furnace, but when we read the story, we find them loosed. The key here is not to allow our time of staying at home to cause us to be bound by depression, fear, anxiety, or sin. There is nothing wrong with watching a movie or a TV show, but we must be careful that we don’t spend our day only entertaining ourselves. We must feed our soul with things that nourish us, not just things that numb us. It’s easy to slip into drinking and watching compromising content due to idleness. Don’t let this time bind you spiritually. 

They were walking in the furnace. That’s incredible. They didn’t just sit and wait to get out. They walked back and forth. When you are in the lockdown at home, start walking. Walking means doing things. Work out from home. Read the book. Start gardening. Organize your garage. Write a blog. Record videos. Take online classes. There is so much to do today that we can do from home. If you don’t start doing something, it will feel like you are stuck. We are not stuck at home, we are safe at home. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego got out of the furnace, they didn’t even smell like fire. God wants us to be active right now so that we don’t have a mindset of being stuck and so that we don’t stink. By stink, I mean in our attitude. 

Remember, Jesus is with you in the furnace. God didn’t stop the fire, but the fire didn’t stop him from being with them. The Lord didn’t give them an explanation of why he allowed them to be thrown in the fiery furnace; instead, he gave them his presence. When we don’t get answers from Jesus, we get his presence. His presence is enough. 

Today’s Confession:
1. God is with me in the good times and in the bad times. 
2. I refuse to be bound by fear.
3. God will keep me in perfect peace because my mind is fixed on him.