The foundation of the believer’s authority is faith and understanding. This is because power and authority have been given, only to be received by faith and understanding.
I once had a crippling fear for the night time. I couldn’t sleep because I worried that something was in my room watching me; this wasn’t a childhood fear as I was around 18 years old. I would play Christian music on my laptop to kill the silence and darkness and other times I’d find comfort in the loud voices of my praying neighbors. All this gradually came to an end the more I understood what the Lord had given me. What He has given me He has also given you and I’d love to bring it to light in your life.
It all starts with the Gospel…obviously.
“I assure you that it is better for you that I go away. If I don’t go away, the Companion won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
John 16:7 CEB
This Companion is the Holy Spirit who is the Power of God, who is God. The Holy Spirit was at the beginning before anything we know to be true or false came to be. He was there when the Lord very beautifully crafted the earth and the skies (Proverbs 8:22-31). The Holy Spirit was in the midst of the great people of old appearing as an unconsuming fire (Exodus 3:2), as extraordinary strength (Judges 14:6), as wisdom and boldness (Judges 3:10), as prophecy (Ezekiel 2:2) and so much more. I say all this to make it clear that the Holy Spirit is an incredible force beyond words can accurately describe. If you believe that this force has been made one with you and can never to be separated, what then is there to fear?
Back then, I knew I had the Holy Spirit and all the gifts that come with Him (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). The problem wasn’t that I didn’t believe in Jesus Christ, it was that I was yet to understand what the power of the Holy Ghost meant in my life. It’s one thing to know theoretically what that power is, it’s one thing to read about it in the Bible or in write ups like this one, but it’s another thing to know it so deeply that it begins to affect and change your mind, your perspective in life and of certain things. This is what living in Christ is; allowing the understanding of God’s love and power transform your soul, your perceptions and in turn, your life. It’s a gradual process of breaking down strongholds, which might I add, are primarily in your mind. Now, allow me take you through how understanding the power of the Holy Ghost made me conquer this fear I had.
Firstly, I believed in Jesus like I mentioned earlier. I believed in what He had given me as a gift so I understood that I was in fact not alone in my room at night. Understanding that Christ my protector was with me even in the midst of said “things that might’ve been watching me” gave me peace. This is because I know for a fact that Christ has overcome whatever evil has its eye on me. I constantly reminded myself that even if I was surrounded by evil as uncountable as sand, I was fine as long as Christ was with me. Do you believe that Christ is with you?
“I’ve commanded you to be brave and strong, haven’t I? Don’t be alarmed or terrified, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 CEB
“teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” Matthew 28:20 CEB
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.” John 1:5 CEB
“Jesus spoke to the people again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me won’t walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 CEB
Reminding myself of this truth gave me the courage to face these things I was afraid of. Don’t be mistaken; when I intentionally turned off my light bulbs at night, I had heart palpitations, when I turned off my laptop and put it far away, I was afraid, when I heard something move in a corner my chest nearly exploded but through all I felt in those moments I kept saying the words to me hearing “The Lord is with Me”.
Sometimes I’d say it till I drifted off to sleep, sometimes I’d stare at the ceiling till my eyes became tired, sometimes I’d get up and go to the sound in the corner ALL WHILE BEING AFRAID!
Much later in life, something one of my mentors said made my actions at that time make much more sense. He said, “do the opposite of whatever anger (the context of our conversation) wants you to do”. Back to the context of this fear; fear wanted me to turn on the lights so I’d feel safe and can see every corner of my room. Instead, I turned off the light and stayed in darkness so I can trust Christ’s eyes over mine. Fear wanted me to stay up till dawn so the “things in my room” won’t get me unaware. Instead, I made myself fall asleep so whatever is “getting me” can get Christ too if possible 😂. I now understood Christ greatness so much that the shadows in my room became so small in comparison.
What are you afraid of? Violently pour light (the Word of God) into it that the darkness is drowned out.
The Penthouse 