by Kenneth Copeland
If there was ever a generation that needed to know how to enter into God’s protection and stay there, it’s this generation. Wars and rumors of wars are commonplace news, but we can find peace in the midst of war. Even though our military is deployed to far-off lands, even though terrorist are hitting our cities, we can find peace.
Most people react to the danger in one of two ways. They either get calloused to it and ignore it…or they simply wring their hands and moan, “Dear God, help us.” But neither one of those ways will get us through. Ignoring the problems won’t make them go away and, frankly, neither will our helpless cries of despair.
We have to deal with the dangers around us. Whether it feels good or not. Whether it looks pretty or not. We have a part to play.
Make the Decision to Find Peace in the Midst of War
Jesus Himself knew we were going to have to face times like these. In Matthew 24:6 He said, “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled.”
“See that ye be not troubled.” That’s what Jesus said we should do when we go through dangerous times. When we hear of wars and rumors of war, we’re not to let it cripple our faith and throw us into anxiety. We’re to refuse to let that trouble enter into our hearts.
Avoid the Media to Find Peace in the Midst of War
We’re also to guard against deception. “Take heed,” Jesus said, “that no man deceive you.” These days everyone has something to say about what’s happening. The news media. Politicians. Your next-door neighbor. Everyone! Even though those people don’t intend to deceive you, they’re looking at things through the world’s eyes instead of through the eyes of The WORD of God.
If you’ll let him, Satan will use them to fill your mind with worries. He’ll use the media to bring to you all the terrors of war. To show you every kind of horrible thing you can think of. Why? To stir up hate and fear inside you. To deceive you into abandoning your faith and letting fear fill your heart.
Listen to God to Find Peace in the Midst of War
You can guard against Satan’s strategies by paying attention to what God is saying instead of what the world is saying. By concentrating on Him, looking at things through His eyes.
That means—whether you’re the one who’s in the war zone or the one at home praying for a loved one who’s facing it—you have to lock into God’s WORD and stay there. It doesn’t matter what’s on television. It doesn’t matter what’s in the newspapers. Your future isn’t based on that. Your future will be determined by your faith in God’s WORD.
Be Vigilant to Find Peace in the Midst of War
I’ll tell you right up front, it takes real commitment to keep your attention on that WORD when war is breaking out all around you. The devil designed that violence to distract you from what God is doing in the earth.
God showed me a long time ago that whenever He pours out His best in a mighty display of power, people get healed and saved and delivered and encouraged and set free from the bondages that have held them. We call that outpouring “revival” and when it comes, Satan tries to counter it by pouring out his worst. His worst takes the form of relentless destruction, maiming, crippling disease and death. In its ultimate manifestation, we call that “war.” So each time we see war in the natural, we can be assured that God is doing something glorious in the spirit realm. We just have to stand against the enemy’s attacks.
Don’t let Satan’s ploys distract you or lead you into fear. Instead, stand strong on The WORD. Make the decision to remain in peace, avoid the media and purpose to focus on what God is doing and saying instead of Satan. You are in a war, a war for your peace. Fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12) and stand as a testimony of what God can do in and through someone when they stand strong in Him!