When Fear Knocks on the Door
by Gilly Mathiesen
Have you ever experienced breakthrough, or a great answer to prayer, only to be followed by a battle with doubt, fear or a challenging situation? Elijah did, and I have too. Let’s look at Elijah’s story a bit closer to see what we can glean from his situation.
In 1 Kings 18, we read about the amazing triumph Elijah experienced against the prophets of Baal, as the Lord proved Himself true before the people. They saw that Baal was a false god and that the Lord God was the one and only true and living God. What happened, though, within a short time after that, is surprising. Once Jezebel heard what had happened to her precious prophets of Baal, she got angry and threatened to kill Elijah. And he didn’t wait on the Lord, but scarpered for his life, upon hearing about her threats. And just the day before he had witnessed a display of God’s awesome power! This mighty prophet of God was intimidated by one person’s threatening words.
We can be vulnerable after we have experienced breakthrough or seen God doing something wonderful, and it is wise to guard our hearts. The bible has good advice regarding this. 1 Peter 5:8-9 says ‘Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith’.
Ephesians 6 explains that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the enemy. The battle may also come through interactions with others or how we are treated by others. For example, bad treatment at the hands of others, or bad news from the hospital, school, workplace can unsettle us and open a door to fear or worry.
The battlefield is generally in our minds! The Lord, who gave such triumph to Elijah, had not changed from one day to the next, from being all powerful to being weak. What had happened in Elijah’s thinking? And what can happen to us? A thought can impact our emotions, if we dwell on it, and it may then influence our choices. How do we combat this battle in our thinking? 2 Corinthians 10:5 offers a great solution: ‘We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’
The Bible tells us that God’s peace protects our hearts and minds and goes on to explain the things that which are good for us to think about, ‘Whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report and praiseworthy’ (Philippians 4:8).
My prayer for each of us today is this, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way (that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances)” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 (AMP).
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to take captive every thought which could cause anxiety and to think about things which bring life and joy. Thank You for Your peace which protects my mind and heart. I ask You to fill me with that peace. Help me also encourage others to find their peace in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Gilly Mathiesen Gilly has a heart to see broken lives healed. She got involved in Christian ministry at a young age, working as a missionary for some years, as well as teaching at a Christian school. She has been involved with Ellel Ministries for the past 10 years and trained and worked on the team in Northern Ireland before moving to Denmark in 2016. She and her husband Steen have been pioneering an Ellel work there since early 2018. They long to see people healed and set free to be all that God has designed them to be.
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