Warrior or worrier? Changing the ‘o’ to an ‘a’
I’ve been on this planet for six score years and more. I’ve seen and experienced many changes in that time, but none as strange and unsettling as the current Covid19 pandemic. More than an ordinary flu, it has infected most countries across the globe and unlike some of the wars in previous times, is not restricted to just one place. It has shown that no matter what human beings do, they cannot control something this huge. It can insidiously move through borders and countries in a silent and deadly way.
When human beings cannot control their environment, relationships, income and health we can feel threatened and vulnerable. A natural response is to worry – to fret and chew over the possible negative ramifications. This uneasiness has created a jittery sort of underlying worry. People are infected by a virus of fear and worry. Job loss, kids unable to attend school, inability to have freedom to travel, financial fears and the possibility of contracting the virus and maybe even dying from it all contribute to this.
So, we have a choice. We can worry about it, but worry in itself is a very negative and destructive emotion. It actually doesn’t get us anywhere. That is why the following verses advise against it.
Matthew 25 (TPT)
“This is why I tell you to never be worried about your life, for all that you need will be provided, such as food, water, clothing — everything your body needs. Isn’t there more to your life than a meal? Isn’t your body more than clothing?
26 “Look at all the birds — do you think they worry about their existence? They don’t plant or reap or store up food, yet your heavenly Father provides them each with food. Aren’t you much more valuable to your Father than they? 27 So, which one of you by worrying could add anything to your life?
Phillipians 4:6 – 7 (TPT)
6 “Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life,
7 then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.
8 So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.
9 Follow the example of all that we have imparted to you and the God of peace will be with you in all things.”
Prayer and surrender is God’s antidote to worry. When we surrender our cares to him, he takes care of our every need because we are living and speaking from an atmosphere or faith.
This is where the warrior part comes in.This is where we have to be active as we fight the negative atmosphere of worry and fear by counteracting it with God given faith.
Psalm 144 is very powerful.
“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.”
and my favourite in Ephesians 6
11 Put on God’s complete set of armour provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser
12 Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage.
13 Because of this, you must wear all the armour that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious.
14 Put on truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph. Put on holiness as the protective armour that covers your heart.
15 Stand on your feet alert, then you’ll always be ready to share the blessings of peace.
16 In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the Evil One!
17–18 Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God.
Pray passionately in the Spirit, as you constantly intercede with every form of prayer at all times. Pray the blessings of God upon all his believers.
So, can you change your ‘o’ to an ‘a’? It is your decision. To do so you must consciously decide which way you will walk out this time of Covid. You can release it all to God and surrender to the peace that comes from doing so. You can fight the battle of negativity by wearing his armour and fighting against the powers of darkness that are threatening our world. Your choice. Trust and fight? or worry and surrender to panic and fear. The battle that begins in the mind and the heart can be won by surrendering all to him.
Thrive 