I was reminded of something today through an incident in an emergency situation where an ambulance had to be called and someone was taken to the hospital. This situation made me think of all the other times in my life throughout the years, that unfortunately, I was presented with a situation where I was needed to perform first aid/ or CPR on someone who needed it. Because of my profession,education and training over the years, I have been trained and certified many times in first aid/ CPR/ lifesaving etc..... Physical Education, Heath and Safety was one of my majors in college. You always hope and pray that you will never need to use it, but over the years I have encountered several times I have had to. Anything from a choking victim at a restaurant, to sports camp injuries, to car accident victims, and a few other instances in public places where I just happened to be the first one or one of the first responders' on the scene. Being trained in this area, there has never been a question of whether I will help or not, it is instinct to just jump in and do what needs to be done. I remember one particular instance in a roll over car accident with serious injuries. When it was all over, I was so shocked at how instinctively I knew what to do clear-headedly and was able to immediately delegate to those around what I needed and what to do until the ambulance arrived -( to God be the glory!). But one thing has stayed the same in all these instances and that was that somehow, some way, I was able to remain calm, which is the first thing you are taught in first aid/ CPR training.
Through all of this, the Holy Spirit reminded me that when we are dealing with life's stresses, emergencies or trauma, that FIRST thing we are also to do is remain calm. This was a great reminder for me. I wish I could sit here and say that in all my own life's situations I have also been able to remain calm. That is not the case unfortunately. As I get more and more engulfed in the Word of God however, the more "training" I receive, the more I remember that God wants us to also "remain calm" when the storm seems to be upon us. Whether its financial difficulties, illness, marriage or family difficulties, issues with work or even being out of a job etc... we are to remain calm.
How can we remain calm you ask? Although all these things going on are right in your face, staring you down like a mad bull, ready to take you down, you are to stand firm. Look that bull in the face (a.k.a. the enemy) and tell him to turn around and get right back in his pen and to stop snorting in your face because his breath stinks - in the Name of Jesus!!
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
You see, God already has the victory....the enemy has already been defeated. What can we do instead of worry? Phillipians 4:8 tells us just how to think about such things. "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - is anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on such things. I was reminded a couple of weeks ago of a great saying I have heard before, and it was a great reminder. "worry is like a rocking chair, it keeps you busy and gets you no where". Instead remind the enemy that he is defeated! He knows it, and so does the whole spirit realm. Don't give Satan and position in your life, instead see yourself with the authority of Christ.
Hebrews 2:14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—
Because of Christs death on the cross for us, we have the eternal victory!!! I know it is difficult when life's challenges are staring you right in the face, but remember that God sees the bigger picture, and the end still remains the same....we have the victory in Christ.
John 15:7 says " If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
So instead of going into a panic, remain calm. Don't respond with tears, but instead with the Word of God out of your mouth and REFUSE to stay in bondage.
Phillipians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus
