There’s no doubt that the topic of fear is a dominant theme this time of year. While most of it is presented as whimsical and harmless, to some it can be an ever-present memory of something they struggled with in the past.
I’ll never forget my first experience near an Ouija board. Regardless of your personal thoughts about using one, for me, It is something I’ll never go near again. Not if I can help it, anyway.
Once during my high school years, I spent the night at a friend’s house who owned one. I didn’t know it at the time, but when we finally shut the lights off in his basement bedroom for the night, I felt a very deep presence in the room with us. I have never been one to “feel” spiritual forces before, and have only experienced them again on a few occasions after–but this one was particularly strong. I couldn’t sleep. Goosebumps crawled up my back and neck when I turned my back against the closet. I just couldn’t shake the feeling there was something there.
The next morning, I talked to my friend about it. Strangely, he told me he had the feeling the same thing on occasion, and that he thought it started after he was given the Ouji board.
I went home that day with a renewed sense of the spiritual forces at work in the world. Was it the Ouija board that caused the feeling? I don’t know. But the worst part of it was that at that moment I felt powerless against whatever it was. It was such a deep feeling, so dark, that I knew alone I would never be able to stand against it.
Do Not Be Afraid
Since then, I have had other similar moments. Sometimes it is just a feeling I have, like a spiritual “spidey sense” at certain moments or in certain locations warning me that something bigger is happening. Perhaps a demonic presence, or an attack. Or perhaps, maybe even there is a spiritual battle occurring nearby!
The Bible tells us over a hundred times not to be afraid. The old priest Zechariah was terrified when he saw the angel Gabriel in the temple. Joseph and Mary were afraid when the angel appeared to them. And of course, the shepherds were, too. Each time, the message was the same: Do not be afraid.
Why? Because the Lord does not desire to frighten us but to comfort us. In fact, he even tells us that he has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power. (2 Timothy 1:7) He also tells us that he is our stronghold (Psalm 27:1), and that he delivers us from our fears. (Psalm 34:4)
So what does this mean?
The Lord is our greatest companion in the fight against the darkness. When we fear, He says do not. When the shadows of life overtake us, He says take comfort. When spiritual forces oppress us, He says he will deliver us. If I feel those forces of darkness around me now, the first thing I do is pray. Yes, it is still scary. Yes, we might feel alone in the beginning. But it won’t remain that way.
Have you encountered spiritual darkness in your life? I’d love to hear your stories about how God delivered you. Don’t have God on your side to combat fear? Send me a message. I’d love to tell you how you can. lightfollower@troyhooker.com
Oh yeah, spiritual stuff is real, for sure. More real than what we see and hear on a daily basis. I could tell many stories of supernatural things both good and bad, but Troy’s right – ultimately, we don’t have to be afraid!