Christian Leaders Urge Prayer, Vigilance, but "Resist Fear... There is No Safer Place... Than in the Will of God"

Aimee Herd : Mar 23, 2016
Facebook, Charisma News

"Knowing what to recognize as a threat is important, but far more important is keeping our eyes on the Lord, abiding in Him, and not letting anything steal the peace we have by abiding in the Prince of Peace." -Rick Joyner 

When things happen in our world, such as the sickening terrorist attacks on Tuesday, each of us react in some way. (Photo Credit: Charles Platiau/REUTERS)

Since we're not robots, our emotions influence our reactions to some degree or another, but the fact remains we CAN also CHOOSE how to confront the day's headlines, or any difficult event in our personal lives for that matter.
 
One can turn the pages of the Bible and find numerous times when men and women—faced with extremely bleak situations—stood on faith instead of crumbling in fear, and God was faithful... Moses, Joshua, Esther, Elijah, Elisha, the Apostles—just to name a few.
 
With so much negativity coming from so many voices these days, coupled with recent tragic events, it would be easy to be overwhelmed with depression.
 
But it's important to stay encouraged, especially encouraged in the Word of God, and by His people.
 
Following Tuesday's ISIS attacks in Belgium, many Christian leaders spoke out to warn, but also to encourage God's people. Here are some excerpts from their words:
 
From Greg Laurie: "Pray for the Police and Military as they seek to protect the people. Pray for the families that have lost precious loved ones. Pray for the Churches and Believers in Brussels and Belgium as they seek to minister to their country. Pray for those in leadership that they will take quick and decisive action against those that wish their people harm. We need to cry out for God's help!
 
"The Lord tells us, 'Then call on Me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give Me glory.'(Ps.50:15)" 
 
From Rick Joyner: "We can expect these attacks to increase, hitting cities in multiple places at once for maximum impact. The U.S. is the most prized of all targets for Islamic terrorists, and we have been made the most vulnerable by our own government policies that have failed to protect our borders. It is likely that we will soon be looking back and marveling at how naïve we have been to allow this, but until there is change we must all learn to be vigilant, becoming watchmen for our cities and communities.
 
"We also must resist reacting in fear, knowing that there is no safer place that we could ever be than in the will of God. Knowing what to recognize as a threat is important, but far more important is keeping our eyes on the Lord, abiding in Him, and not letting anything steal the peace we have by abiding in the Prince of Peace. It is as we abide in His peace that we can more easily be directed by Him, and effectively pray for our communities, law enforcement, and our leaders."
 
From Franklin Graham: "Join me in praying for the victims and families of the Muslim terrorist attack in Belgium today. Islamists have told us we will see more of these attacks and we have to take their threats seriously... Our country is in trouble—we have a void in leadership. Pray that God will give us a strong leader for this nation."
 
Chuck Pierce encourages Believers to "Let your light shine" amid the chaos in America and the world.
 
The world has witnessed dark events such as these, many times throughout history, but we have also seen the saving hand of the Lord.
 
Let's heed the words of the wise people posted above, and especially the words of the Wisest who said: "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) and "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10) NASB

Abundant life and peace is not defined by our situations, but by the Author of life and the Giver of peace, Himself!

May you and I walk in God's perfect love that casts out fear, today. As Martin Luther King Jr. so eloquently said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."