A new day is upon us. And our world is rapidly changing.

No doubt, your life has been affected in numerous ways. And it’s becoming harder and harder to distinguish the facts from the hysteria.

I won’t bore you with any current details. You’ve already heard plenty of those. But let’s just say that lately, things have really gone “viral.”

And while you’re probably grappling with unforeseen circumstances, you may also be tempted to succumb to those mounting waves of fear that currently beat upon your heart’s doorstep.

I can’t really blame you. Fear is a real emotion—a natural human emotion. God gave us our emotions. And He gave us fear to help us stay safe—a natural fear of fire, for example.

But God doesn’t want our emotion of fear to be for the wrong reasons.

Before mankind fell into sin long ago, unreasonable fear wasn’t even present in our world. You’re probably thinking “That’s nice, but I live in the here and now—with the craziness of today’s world.” And of course, you are right.

You are here, right now, with the other 7.5 billion of us. That number alone could certainly strike a fearful chord in anyone. But now we are dealing with this.

As Christians, how do we deal with the fearfulness of these uncertain times and circumstances? And how are we better equipped than the unbeliever?

We really need a refresher on this subject. Because the unseen battle of minds and hearts is raging. And the fearful and faint-hearted among us will most likely be the first casualties.

But you don’t need to be a victim. Instead, utilize your God-given rights, rules and tools to defeat your strongest enemies.

Your Ability Requires a Mind of Stability

Your mind is a wondrous machine of thought, will and emotion. Because of its amazing capabilities, you are able to arise and meet each new day with a positive and expectant attitude. Well, maybe.

Unfortunately, your mind can work against you—and defeat you—even before you’ve gotten out of bed.

A mind that is not “armed and ready” for the unexpected stands a good chance of becoming overwhelmed by it. As Christians, though we are certainly forgiven, we are still prone to the failings, weaknesses and miscalculations of the fallen nature.

Thankfully, God has not left us without defenses. Your best defense will be a strengthened and stable mind.

And that will require some discipline. But how, and from where?

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

(2 Timothy 1:7)

What kind of love is this, that God’s own Spirit gives to us? This is “agape” love—that same compassionate love which God has for His creation. The same love He wills for each of us to have for each other.

And what sort of power? “Dunamis” (dynamite) power. Miraculous power. A virtue of ability, and superabundance.

And what is this sound mind you have received? Self controlled. Disciplined. Corrected. And possessing sound judgement. Imagine this equipping of your mind, stable and able—not only to deal with your present circumstances, but to overcome them as well.

God’s Spirit is able to lead you into all truth, and to stabilize your thinking—even during these unexpected circumstances of today.

“Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

(Philippians 4:6-8, parenthesis mine)

Have you received a bad report? An anxious word? Or some disappointing news of the day? Yes, this all feels like a crisis.

But take a deep breath—a moment, away from the worry. Seek out God’s good report—those things that are worthy of your energy—in His word. Let the good things of God’s word be your guide—and your source of stability in this unstable world.

A Capable Mind is a “Shapeable” Mind

Unfortunately, fear can be an all-too-present factor in today’s world. And in critical times of crisis, you may find that fear is your first reaction.

God isn’t surprised by such reactions. But His will for you is to realize the person you’ve become, and are still becoming, in Christ Jesus.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

(Romans 12:2)

The rule is clear: conforming to the world’s pattern of thinking (reacting, rather than godly reasoning) will greatly hamper God’s purposes in and through you.

Instead, put yourself (your life) in God’s capable hands. Let the Potter shape the clay as He chooses. Allow God to transform your old, fearful and fretful ways of thinking.

That word “transformed,” in ancient Greek is “metamorphoo.” Metamorphosis. Meaning to be changed, completely, into another form.

“Renewing” means that your moral and spiritual vision and thinking are adjusted, to line up with the mind and will of God.

Let that sink in for a few moments. Your capabilities to utilize godly principles and reason will greatly depend on the transformation taking place within your inner life.

Think of your godly mind as a renewable resource. A renewed mind is a reshaped mind. Not conformed to the fear and frailties of this world, but instead conformed more and more into the likeness of God the Son.

God wants you to be capable in times of crisis, with a mind that’s in great shape. Let God reshape your old ways of thinking—those fearful thought patterns—into bold thinking.

Trust God, and take Him at His word. Then let God’s word take you where you need to go.

A Mind of Faith -vs- Fatalism

Times of crisis are inevitable. They come to every generation of time. So why should your time be any different?

This current crisis appears quite threatening. But your well-placed faith—in He who is Faithful, can help you remember that God always has a plan. Even in the midst of the crisis and confusion.

And God’s plans always overshadow all other plans and purposes. The enemies of God can never touch or take what rightfully belongs to God.

But what if you unknowingly give away your greatest strength—your ability to trust God, in times of trouble?

“These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

(John 11:11-14,16)

Thomas was fearful that Jesus would be killed, when he went into town to see Lazarus. Even though Jesus stated that he was going there to raise Lazarus from the dead, his announcement caused a crisis for the disciples. But Jesus was fully committed to His father’s plans to restore His fallen friend to life.

It really comes as no surprise that Thomas had such a fatalistic approach to the situation. Thomas was called “Didymus,” which means “the Doubter.” How strange is that!

In uncertain times, our faith can be hard to find. We may be tempted to take the Thomas approach. In those few words of doubtful reasoning, Thomas basically dismissed the purposes of God’s own will. How foolish he must have felt, as Lazarus came out of the tomb!

May we not fall into such traps of unbelief. Exercise your right to believe what God has purposed. Have faith in God’s certain plans—especially in these uncertain times.

Know Who Your Real Enemies Are

Fear is always just beneath the surface of this last days world. It seems to be in every breaking news report. It’s big business.

But you are a Christian in this last days world. And you have no business just believing everything you may see or hear.

You must be able to rightly distinguish truth from error. That isn’t always an easy task. It involves paying attention to the times, because they are evil.

You must rely on God’s Holy Spirit to be able to see things through the lens of God’s perfect plans. It requires discernment to know who your real enemies are.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

(Ephesians 6:10-12)

Wow! Did you just catch what you are up against? Principalities (evil forces.) Powers. Rulers of the darkness of this world. Spiritual wickedness in high places. That sounds like an army of trouble!

But the good news is, this is God’s world. And you are a son or daughter of the Most High One.

He has given you the power and authority to defend yourself and others, and to deflect and defeat the plans of your enemies.

But you’ll need to have your head on straight to truly believe that you are on the winning side of this battle, especially when the hard times hit.

This is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. Where the knees must meet the floor. And where the powers of your Almighty God come clashing against the powers and principalities of dark forces.

Yes, you may often find yourself in the middle of a heated battle—struggling with situations that appear to be way over your head. You may be tempted to run and hide somewhere. Somewhere “safe.”

But the truth is, you have been given a key position in this fight: to astound the darkness with the Light that lives within you.

Speak it. Pray it out. Proclaim it. Send it forth—to confuse the enemy. Refuse those fears that taunt you.

Your faith is a formidable weapon. And your enemies know it.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

(2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

You need to wrap your head around this: your fight is not flesh and blood. And your weapons are not carnal (man made, or fleshly.) Instead, you are being pitted against the “big boys” of darkness.

What could God be thinking? Is He trying to get you killed?

No. Your “weapons” may appear small or insignificant on this side of the battle, but they are being channeled “through God” to become a mega force of fighting strength.

If only we could see what is happening in heavenly realms! Simply put, your acts of faith (rather than your fears) are kicking the enemy’s tail.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

(Hebrews 12:2-3)

Be reminded of a young warrior-in-training, named David, who defeated the crisis of his day—the giant, Goliath—because he believed that his God went mightily before him.

Now imagine who you might be, in these very last days of the battle. Step forward, little one, and make your enemies wish they had not challenged you.

Choose and Use Your Weapons Wisely

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

(Ephesians 6:13)

Each piece of your spiritual armor, described in Ephesians chapter 6, holds its strategic place and purpose—the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, the sword of the spirit, and so on.

But what kind of mindset must this warrior be immersed within, to face the rages of battle all around, while holding his position?

This may be his greatest weapon of all.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

(Philippians 2:5-8)

Do you want to be feared, instead of fearful? Here is your chance—and your challenge.

To put on “this mind.” This attitude of Christ Jesus. An attitude of trust, and obedience.

After all, is there anyone better to follow into battle?

What sort of mind is this mind, of Christ Jesus? He doesn’t live by bread alone, but by every word from His Father. He trusts His Father’s will, completely. His daily walk is walked out in obedience, and in love.

He is constantly listening and learning. His line of communication with the Father is always open. He humbles Himself, taking on the attitude of a servant.

He gives His life away, not putting any value upon it—except to do His Father’s will.

He has nothing left to lose.

Though His losses may seem great, in the moment of crisis, He knows that He is the ultimate victor. The battle belongs to the Lord. The ultimate victory is assured.

Friend, let (allow) this mind of humility, trust and obedience propel you into the fight—not away from it. You are invincible, in God! You wield mighty weapons, that are able to pull down strongholds!

You are surrounded with strength, within the armor of God’s mighty, Holy Spirit. You proclaim God’s truth, against the fearful mentalities of this failing world.

You are the mighty, God-commissioned warrior—with nothing left to lose.

And everything to gain.

Let this mind of Christ Jesus, in you, be your first and foremost defense.

Your battle may be the latest contagion, dominating today’s headlines. Or your battle may be one for hearts and minds, that they may embrace their Lord and Savior. Whatever your battle, it is always your God within you, who is leading the charge.

This is your time. And this is your day—for the battle.

To sense the challenge. To face your fears. And to ultimately change the course of things to come.