A few years ago, after years of unemployment, God suddenly confirmed a word He had given to me about two years before. Within a few days of everything continuing to look impossible, I found myself in full time temporary employment. The process was miraculous.
My new job involved less responsibility than my previous role and was well within
my scope, yet, I found myself getting panicky. I got increasingly anxious about doing the wrong thing. Although all right at home, once I arrived at work, an irrational fear took over. Most of the time I did not even know what I was afraid of doing wrong or why.
As I prayed about it, I realised this was the first job I had been in since my last role
which had ended in a traumatic way. I had previously worked with a manager who had disliked me and found fault with everything I did. For a long time, I had felt I was treading on egg shells.
Nevertheless, God fought on my behalf, encouraged me everyday and brought about such a victorious ending that I was in awe of Him.
A habit I developed during this difficult period of employment was to go to the toilet and have a time out with my Friend (Proverbs 18: 24) who promised to always be with me (Hebrews 13:5).
So back to the present, did this explain why I was so terrified in my current job? The fear sometimes gave me a physical pain in my stomach. I would go into the toilet almost on a daily basis, simply to have a chat with God during those times. One day on my way home from work, I asked God why I was so fearful. I sensed Him say that it was because my head was bare; I was not wearing my armour.
From that day onwards, I began to ‘put on’ the whole armour of God according to Ephesians 6. In my prayer time, I would say “I put on the whole armour of God” naming the items one after the other. For example, “I put on the helmet of salvation”. From that day till today, I have never experienced that seemingly unreasonable paralysing, stomach – crunching fear. That job ended in 2015 when I decided to move on to a more permanent full-time employment, although they had extended my temporary contract by a full twelve months. My fears were completely unfounded, but fuelled by the Enemy of our souls, described as the Father of lies in John 8: 44.
From time to time, I still get worried about things, but as I have learned to give these fears to my Saviour and Burden- Bearer, who daily bears my burdens (Psalm 68:19), I find that the fear has never been as intense as it was then.
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we [a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. [b] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. [c] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. - Eph 6: 10-18
- Naa Oyoo Ace-Acquah
Gateway Church Ashford, is a church in Ashford, Kent, and is part of the New Frontiers movement and within the Catalyst Network sphere.