The Epidemic of Fear
A glance at the news at any moment in time and citizens of all nationalities ask, “What’s going on?” There are constant introductions of new hashtags representing yet another African-American man killed by police. Peaceful protests are manipulated into attacks on the flag and law enforcement.
We see video footage of graphic, up-close loss of human life right before our eyes. The scenes playing on our smartphones, TVs, and computer screens all look like a terrible nightmare or rated R movie.
Parents are expressing fear for the lives of their children in school. Activists, like Black Lives Matter, are fed up, and people are reaching their breaking points.
As humans, we all feel it. We are not so heavenly-minded that we don’t feel the pain and suffering of family members who will never see their loved ones again on this side.
So, in the middle of all this chaos, how do we balance our humanity with our citizenship in the Kingdom of God? Is there any Word from The Lord?
Remember Your Spiritual Birthright as a Kingdom Citizen
In general, a person receives his or her citizenship by birthright or application. When you accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you became a citizen of His Kingdom (1 Peter 2:9), with access to all rights and privileges contained in our playbook, the Bible.
So, when your American citizenship (or any other country of origin) says you’re afraid, you’re hopeless, you’ll “never be free”, you’re living in lack, your clock is ticking, or anything outside of the jurisdiction of God’s Word – re-claim your spiritual birthright.
When you claim your spiritual birthright, you remember that your life is “hid safely with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). You will begin to recall that the promises of God are real and true. When you remember your spiritual birthright, you’ll begin to remove the natural limitations and shortcomings of this world and lean into your purpose as designed by God.
Our citizenship in the Kingdom of God comes with its own language; we speak in Faith, proudly declaring what the Word of God says.
The King Has Already Spoken
The news and media will continue to run heart-wrenching stories; truthfully, a part of us is glad – especially when the truth is told. But there’s another part of us that wants to run and avoid the truth.
We’re calling all Kingdom Citizens to monitor what you allow to settle in your spirit.
Whose report do you believe? CNN? Fox? Associated Press?
What are you meditating on? Facebook? YouTube? Or the Word of God?
If you are living in total fear, you have believed the wrong report! Fear is not of God; God is love. Perfect love (God) evicts all fear from your heart (1 John 4:18).
The Word of the Lord in 2 Timothy 1:7 says that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. If we believe in God and trust in the truth of his Word, we have no reason to walk in fear.
Take a Break: Get Into God’s View
While it is ok to be aware of what’s going on in the world, it is not ok for us as Kingdom citizens to believe CNN over the Word of GOD!
When our American citizenship gets too burdensome to bear, it’s our privilege to remember the family of God we were born-again into. The spiritual birthright wins every time against humanity’s naturalization.
The same way many of us have poured over articles and videos surrounding the state of America, how much more are we to meditate on the Word of God?
So, What’s the Play Call?
Make an intentional shift to refocus your heart and your mind today.
Here are a couple of promises to get you started:
Joshua 1:9 says that we are to be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.
Isaiah 41:10 reads – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
The choice is yours…sad, hopeless, fearful American – or strong, proud, victorious Kingdom Citizen?
Contributors Kim Bright & Lamica Burnett
