Over the last couple months my husband and I have been listening to Bethel’s new album We will not be shaken. It seemed like that was all we listened to for a few weeks. One of my favorite songs from that album is No Longer Slaves by Jonathan Helser and Brian Johnson. It is sung as a raw declaration of truth and freedom by Helser who has this sort of raspy lumberjack voice. Ah such a good song. Here are some of the lyrics.

You unravel me, with a melody

You surround me with a song

Of deliverance, from my enemies

Till all my fears are gone

Chorus:

I’m no longer a slave to fear

I am a child of God

I love this song because of the truth in it. It speaks of a God who is gentle and sings over us, but strong enough to save us from our enemies. He has released us from our bondage as slaves and made us children in his family.

My heart and mind need to be constantly reminded of this truth. Our God is not weak, small or timid. He is completely gentle but completely strong. I am no longer a slave. I am a child in God’s family. This should make all the difference. I don’t need to “submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1). I don’t need to be governed by fear.

I don’t know how many of you can relate with having a fear that is often misplaced, but I will be the first one to admit it. I waste too much time running through worst case scenarios in my head in an effort to “be prepared,” afraid of what might happen if I’m not. I can get caught up living life reacting to what my fears are and making faulty conclusions because of them. For example: My train of thought can sometimes go, ‘I can’t forget a single thing in the baby’s diaper bag because if I do then our outing/ day will be ruined because we will not have what we need to enjoy it.’ I am afraid of having my plans changed in that moment and so I make every effort not to be caught unprepared. Uhhhh…extreme much? I doubt the day would be ruined. This is a silly example but just imagine if that happens on a bigger scale. Who is God and where is he in those instances?

The enemy seems to be good at blowing things out of proportion in order to get us side tracked. If he can get us to fear insignificant things, then those become big in our minds view, God becomes small, and we end up walking through life as though slaves even though we are already free. So how do I actively fight for truth and combat fear?

Often what I need to remember in fearful situations is who God is and who I am. As I journal and read these days, it has helped me to meditate on certain passages that say just that. I write the truth about God on one side and then what that means for me on the other. For example, Isaiah 42:13- “The Lord will march out like a champion, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies” (NIV). The truth that I write on the other side would be that He is a mighty warrior and he is capable of defeating my enemies; so I am safe. God becomes big again and my fear is in its place.

When fear says jump, I don’t have to say how high because the TRUTH is that my God is bigger. My God is in control. My God is ferocious and fights with a vengeance against my enemies. In his presence fear must run. AND this great God is my father. I am his and apart of his family. I AM NO LONGER A SLAVE. It is for freedom that Christ has set me free (Gal. 5:1).