“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13 ESV)

The Holy Spirit will help and teach you

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 ESV)

God has plans for you

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11 ESV)

Wait on the Lord

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:31 ESV)

Therefore…

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 31:24 ESV)

“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8 ESV)

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Heb. 4:16 NLT)

Come boldly and confidently into God’s presence

“Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” (Eph. 3:12 NLT)

Hold firmly to confidence because Christ is faithful

“But Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.” (Heb. 3:6 NIV)

Therefore…

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,

and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Heb.10:18-23 NIV)

“He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:3-4)

We have hope through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Rom. 15:4)

Jesus is our blessed hope

“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:13)

Therefore…

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Rom. 15:13)

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.” (Psalm 39:7)

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15 ESV)

Most mornings, over the last couple of years, I stop by a local extended care facility to help a friend of mine get up and go to breakfast. I pour his coffee and while I’m at it, I walk around the dining room and pour coffee for others. I’ve gotten to know most of their names and have heard some of their personal stories. Like Bob Miller, for instance, who just passed away at 92-years old. I loved Bob’s radiant smile and cheerful greeting each day. Bob was quick to tell me and everyone else he met, that he loved Jesus and that he was still an active member of Gideons Bible Society. Bob attended and even led a Bible study at the facility. I always loved hearing his enthusiastically told stories, which he had lots of. Bob told me he was looking forward to “being promoted to glory”, as he happily put it. Of course, Bob is there now and I’m sure, is more alive now, than ever. The Bible points out that when we live for Christ, “to die is gain!”

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21 ESV

Therefore…

“For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.” (Rom. 14:8 ESV)

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (2 Cor. 5:8 ESV)

“For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.” (Acts 8:7 ESV)

A demonic outburst

Last Sunday as we left our church service we were confronted by a woman who was waving her arms wildly and shouting angrily at people leaving the service and saying she worshipped Jerry Lewis as her god and savior. It seemed obvious that she was demonically Influenced. On the drive home I wondered if I should have been bold enough to say to her: “Demon, in the Name of Jesus Christ, I demand you release this woman and leave her immediately.” I later texted my pastor about it (in case he didn’t know what had happened) and I told him that I had wondered if I should have demanded the demon release her. He replied and said to do so, if it ever happens again, and if I should feel so led.

How Jesus dealt with the demon possessed

• Blind and mute - “Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw.” (Matt. 12:22 ESV)

• Multiple demons - “And also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out…” (Luke 8:2 ESV)

• Oppressed by demons - “That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.” (Matt. 8:16 ESV)

Believers will do what Jesus did

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do.” (John 14:12)

“… In this world we are like Jesus.” (1 John 4:17 NIV)

“Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.” (1 John 2:6)

Believers will cast out demons in the Name of Jesus

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons…” (Mark. 16:17 ESV)

Yes, we are in a spiritual battle

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…” (2 Cor. 10:3-5 ESV)

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 ESV)

A warning

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.” (Matt. 3:43-45 ESV)

Therefore…

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 ESV)

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 4:4 ESV)

“And give no opportunity to the devil.” (Eph. 4:27 ESV)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil. 4:6 NIV)

This is rather long this time, but because so many people (including myself) have been affected by anxiety attacks, and because the Bible offers a solution to it, even commanding that we “don’t be anxious about anything”, I’m writing about it.

Anxiety disorders are rampant in North America

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, approximately 30 percent of the adult population in North America have an anxiety disorder. It’s also become a massive business industry. More than $42 billion a year is spent by those seeking help for anxiety disorders, almost one third of the $148 billion total mental health bill for the U.S. More than $22.84 billion of those costs are associated with the repeated use of healthcare services, as those with anxiety disorders seek relief.

Anxiety defined

Anxiety is an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physical signs (such as tension, sweating, and increased pulse rate), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), defines panic attacks as: A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause.

Anxiety or panic attacks:

According to its basic definition an anxiety or panic attack is an overwhelming fear that affects you mentally, emotionally and irrationally. It is out of control fear. It’s like fear on steroids! Panic becomes a disorder when panic attacks are frequent and interfere with a normal lifestyle — The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), defines panic attacks as: A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause.[1]

My story

I can clearly remember my very first anxiety attack. I was ten-years-old and my twelve-year-old brother and I we’re home alone. We were living with our step father who was away at work. My brother had hot-wired daddy’s pickup and was about to drive it out onto the busy main road. I was afraid that he’d get killed and begged him not to go. But, he pushed me aside and did it anyway. At that moment I became overwhelmed with anxiety. I couldn’t breath and soon collapsed onto the ground. The neighbors found me there and called daddy at work who came home and took me to the hospital. After that, I had frequent panic attacks that came without warning. Over the next three years I was in an out of hospitals as doctors treated me all kinds of ways. Nothing worked. I was never told I could control or stop these attacks.

An unexpected discovery

When I turned 13, I moved to Alaska to live with my mother. I wasn’t there very long until an anxiety attack came on suddenly. My mother didn’t know anything about them and had never seen me have one. She said, “What’s happening to you?” And I replied, “I’m having an attack!” And she stuck her finger in my face and said, “Stop that this instant! You hear me! You aren’t having any of that here! So, Knock it off this instant!” I remember being startled by what she said and I stopped having the attack. This was the first time I ever stopped having an attack! It was a revelation — I could control them! Later on, after I had received Christ, I found a lot of Scriptures about controlling fear. In fact, the Bible says 365 times, not to fear, one for each day of the year!

Understand that fear is NOT from God

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Tim. 1:7 NLT)

Exercise self control which is given to you by the Holy Spirit

“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” (Prov. 25:28 NlT)

”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal. 5:22-23)

Do not let your heart be troubled or fearful

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)

Cast your anxiety on God (let Him handle it)

“…casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Do not be anxious for God will strengthen you

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'” (Isa. 41:10)

God will deliver you from all your fears

“I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)

Therefore…

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:15)

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3)

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…” (Phil 4:7 NASB)

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15 KJV)

Bible study

There are different methods of studying the Bible and learning Bible truths. To begin, you should read the Bible from cover to cover to get basic Bible knowledge. Then you can study books of the Bible as well as do topical studies. Whichever type of study you are doing, follow these basic steps: 1-Observation-what does the Bible say? 2-Interpretation-What does the Bible mean? and 3-Application-How does this biblical truth apply to your life, or how is this passage relevant today? No matter what method of Bible study you do, be careful to rightly divide the Word of God so that you are “workmen that need not be ashamed.” (2 Tim. 2:2).

Bible study gives light and understanding

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130 NIV)

All Scripture is God-breathed

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NIV)

And put the words into practice

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matt. 7:24 NIV)

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” (2 Peter 1:10 ESV)

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James. 1:22 NIV)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:1-2 ESV)

We’re all running a “race”

We are each uniquely made with differing gifts and talents that God has created within us to help us do what He created us to do In life. We’re all running a “race” that is set out before each of us. In the above passage we are exhorted to lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely to us, and look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.

Run your race with discipline to win

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Cor. 9:24-27 ESV)

Press on towards the prize

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:12-14 ESV)

Therefore…

“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:8 ESV)

In the Old Testament, 2 Chron. 20:1-30, Is a remarkable story showing what to do if you come under attack and it looks completely hopeless. King Jehoshaphat’s story is worth reading to see how he responded correctly and successfully to an impossible situation. What he did is a great pattern to follow whenever any kind of “impossible” problem comes your way.

A vast army wages war against King Jehoshaphat and it looks hopeless

“…the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, ‘A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar’ (that is, En Gedi).” (2 Chron. 20:1-2 NIV)

What Jehoshaphat did

• Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord and he proclaimed a fast

“Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.” (2 Chron. 20:3-4 NIV)

• Jehoshaphat took his problem to God in prayer

“Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said:” (2 Chron. 20:5)

• Jehoshaphat acknowledged God’s power and authority

“Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.” (2 Chron. 20:6 NIV)

• Jehoshaphat acknowledged what God had done in the past

“Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’” (2 Chron. 20:7-9)

• Jehoshaphat acknowledged that they had no power to face the vast army and didn’t know what to do, and said to God, “our eyes are on you”

“But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chron. 20:10-12)

• After praying, they waited on God to answer

“All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord.” (2 Chron. 20:13)

God answered Jehoshaphat’s prayer

• Then, God spoke and told them not to be afraid because “For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

“Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chron. 20:14-15)

• Then, God told them what to do

“Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” (2 Chron. 20:16-17)

• Then, Jehoshaphat and his people worshipped the Lord

“Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.” (2 Chron. 20:18-19)

• Then, Jehoshaphat set out to follow God’s instruction with faith and praises

“Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his[c] holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” (2 Chron. 20:20-21)

• Then, God defeated Jehoshaphat’s enemies

“As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.” (2 Chron. 20:22-24)

• Then, Jehoshaphat and his men carried off the plunder of their defeated enemies

“So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it.” (2 Chron. 20:25)

• Then, Jehoshaphat and his men met after the victory to praise the Lord

“On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.” (2 Chron. 20:26)

• Then, Jehoshaphat and his men returned home and to the temple of God and made music

“Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets.” (2 Chron. 20:27-28)

• Finally, God gave the kingdom of Jehoshaphat peace and rest on every side

“The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.” (2 Chron. 20:29-30)

Therefore…

To recap: What to do when impossible problem comes

• Turn to God in prayer and fast, even while your problem is looming before you.

• Acknowledge that you don’t have the answer and you don’t know what to do. That’s why you’re coming to Him for help.

• Acknowledge God’s power and authority. He can do the impossible.

• Remember God’s faithfulness in the past. “You’ve helped us in the past. Please do it again!”

• Request God’s help. Come right out clearly with your request. “Come boldly to the throne of grace in the time of need.”

• Wait expectantly for God to answer.

• Do what God tells you to do, even if it’s scary or difficult.

• Praise and worship God continually throughout the process.

Jehoshaphat was faithful to worship the Lord and ask him for help, and God delivered him from his enemies. God will do the same for you.