Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading – Sunday, April 11, 2021

Theme: SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS, KEY TO HEALTHY LIVING

Text:  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” – Psalm 46:1, 2

Comment: Fear makes one to become weak physically and mentally. Digestion is disturbed and the heartbeat becomes irregular. Unfounded fears implanted in one may be hard to remove. For instance, children who are made to believe that spirits from the dead roam about in the night grow up with fears of the dark and panic over anything that moves in darkness.

The Bible says that in this age men’s hearts would be failing them for fear “and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken”. (Luke 21:26) According to medical practitioners, the physical effects of fear may include heart palpitations, muscle weakness and tension, fatigue, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, headache, stomach aches, or tension headaches. As the body prepares to deal with a threat, blood pressure, heart rate, perspiration, blood-flow to the major muscle groups are increased, while immune and digestive functions are inhibited. While it is true that many factors give people cause for fear in this age, we should be strengthened by the promise of God to protect His people at any time and anywhere they face danger. While we can do what we can, on point of discretion, to deal with real or imagined fears, we should not be bogged down by them but believe in the Almighty power of the everlasting God Whose holy name is JEHOVAH.  – Isaiah 26:3,4; Psalm 121; 91:1-10; etc.