1. COME BACK TO THE BASICS AND WORSHIP
During turbulent times there will always be a temptation to be overtaken by fear. The antidote is simple: perfect loves casts out fear (1 John 4:18) and God is love (1 John 4:8).
So, reconnect with our Father by recalling that He is good, He is love and He is for us (Romans 8:31)! Remember that He has already promised to make all things work together for good (Romans 8:28) including the current circumstances you are facing.
Then worship Him. Worship has a way of shifting our problems into their proper perspective.
2. BREAK AGREEMENT WITH FEAR BY MAKING POSITIVE DECLARATIONS
When the fears rise up, instead of speaking them out, make a positive declaration. Using this personalized version of Psalm 91 (based on the Passion Translation shared by Candice Simmons) might be a great way to start.
PSALM 91: SAFE AND SECURE
I sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai, and am hidden in the strength of God Most High.
He’s the hope that holds me and the Stronghold to shelter me,
the only God for me, and my great confidence.
He will rescue me from every hidden trap of the enemy,
and He will protect me from false accusation
and any deadly curse.
His massive arms are wrapped around me, protecting me.
I can run under his covering of majesty and hide.
His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping me from harm.
I will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night
nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against me.
I won’t fear a thing!
Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble me,
nor will the powers of evil launched against me.
Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed,
I will remain unscathed and unharmed.
I will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment,
for they will be paid back for what they have done!
When I live my life within the shadow of God Most High,
my secret hiding place, I will always be shielded from harm.
How then could evil prevail against me or disease infect me?
God sends angels with special orders to protect me wherever I go,
defending me from all harm.
If I walk into a trap, He’ll be there for me
and keep me from stumbling.
I’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness,
trampling every one of them beneath my feet! For here is what the Lord has spoken to me:
“Because you have delighted in me as my great lover,
I will greatly protect you.
I will set you in a high place, safe and secure before my face.
I will answer your cry for help every time you pray,
and you will find and feel My presence
even in your time of pressure and trouble.
I will be your glorious hero and give you a feast.
You will be satisfied with a full life and with all that I do for you.
For you will enjoy the fullness of My salvation!”
3. STOP AND LISTEN
In the middle of the chaos, I am convinced that our Father is calling a time out. When a coach calls a time out, it is because he or she is going to tell you how to change tactics to make sure you win. That is exactly our Father’s intent right now. So, listen!
Listen with an open heart and an open mind, right now. And, also revisit the scriptures He has already spoken to you and any prophetic words you have received. Our Father is always ahead of the game, so expect to discover that He has already told you some of the most important things you need to know, before the current situation even started.
4. PRAY, SPECIFICALLY DIALOGUING WITH OUR FATHER AROUND TWO QUESTIONS:
What does this mean? What must I do?
These were the two questions asked on the Day of Pentecost. They are much more helpful than getting stuck on “Why?” questions.
5. INTENTIONALLY INVITE OUR FATHER TO COME TO THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE
I am convinced that one of the major positives that should come out of this time is for the Father to return to the center. For far too long He has been forgotten or ignored in favor of our cultural idols: sport, entertainment, politics, education, religion and money. It is not that these things have no place but that they have occupied a place which belongs to God alone.
Take some time to pull your heart back out of those things and give it back to our Father once more.
6. EXPECT FAVOR
Not only does our Father promise that He will work all things together for our good but He has made a specific promise during times of shaking.
Haggai 2:6-9 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’”
Shaking leads to our Father’s House being filled with glory and the wealth of the nations.
7. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRAY FOR, HELP AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS
Many people around you will be locked in fear and need your help to escape from it. You can be our Father’s hands and feet and mouth. Pray for someone. Better yet, call them and pray with them. Better yet call them, pray with them, and speak a word of prophecy over their life! You get the idea!