There have been headlines going over news channels, the internet and newspapers on how the U.S.A. should be afraid and be aware of terror attacks that are possible. I don’t want to downplay the risks that there is to anyone. But, at the same time, I refuse to live in fear of what can or may happen. To me, that is giving them the power to control what I do.

As we hear more about terrorism, our attention is diverted to those things and we become obsessed. We are told that we should be on high alert when it comes to large crowds and crowded places. We need to be particularly caution because of the holidays approaching. These vigilante groups and Satan are out to intimidate and create fear.

In 2 Timothy 1:7 it says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” . I refuse to live in fear of anything that this world has to offer. My faith is in Christ alone. When we start giving into the scare tactics and threats of groups like ISIS, we are giving them the power not God. I believe that we should go about our lives and I will continue to talk to others about my relationship with Christ. Satan is NOT going to win. God is the winner in this spiritual warfare that is going on around us.

The more we hear about all of this terrorism we are becoming more fearful and obsessed over protecting ourselves from every imaginable thing. I get why people are insecure, worried and afraid of what could happen, but that shows that we aren’t putting God in control over us. It’s as if we are living in the dark dungeon and evil is hanging out at every turn and corner we go into.

If I give into the fear that I see on television, the internet and on the streets, that is telling me that I’m not putting my trust in God like I should be.

• John 14:27 (NKJV) “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Since my trust is in Christ alone, I really see no other option other than guarding my heart against fear. We should all be guarding our hearts against fear.

• Proverbs 4:20-23 (NKJV) My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

Some of the ways we are to guard our hearts is in the way we think. When we are fearful and afraid, we are choosing to be that way. We don’t have to live in a state of fear. We don’t have to be prisoners of fear. Nobody is forcing us into living in a constant state of fear. When we know that God is the winner and He is there, we don’t have to fear all the things we hear about. Just now, the news is covering how Turkey has shot down a Russian jet. People are reacting and scrambling for some kind of protection against what is going to happen next. Without a doubt in my mind, I can say that, “God knows the future”. Nothing that is happening right now is going to surprise God and God has it covered. It may not be to our liking. But God is Who I put all my trust and hope in, not in a world that is going to hell in a hand-basket.

We belong to God and because of that, I will NOT fear things of this world.

• Isaiah 43:1 “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.”

God has told his people, “Fear not.” There shouldn’t be nothing that should cause God’s people to fear. For some reason people thinks that if we are believer in God, that doesn’t mean that we are immune to suffering. Our lives aren’t going to be picture perfect. I don’t expect my life to be perfect. If it were perfect, we wouldn’t need God.

When we go through difficult times, we are tempted to think that “God has left us and has forsaken us.” There are times I feel like I am drowning in the depths of the ocean. There have been times I felt like I couldn’t handle anything more coming my way. But! I did make it through and I can count on troubles coming my way and to those in the world. God will going to be there and I know that I won’t be going through it alone.

Everyone has problems they are dealing with. Jesus said, “The rain falls on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). We all experience tragedy at some time in life. But remember: God brings difficult situations into our lives to remind us how much we need Him. Every trial and struggles, we have the opportunity to trust and glorify Him. .

We can’t understand why He isn’t rescuing us and protecting us from the kind harm ISIS and the evils around us. We will suffer loss and pain. They can take our life here on earth. But they can’t take our eternal life with Christ. Our eternal life, our salvation, our hope, is “stored up for us in heaven” (Colossians 1:5). No matter what happens, no one can separate us from Christ and His love.  So, there is no need to fear terrorists and the evil of this world.