St. Patrick, Facing the Fear, Part 7

Warriors Arise: March 20, 2022

1 John 4:18 (NKJV) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

So, I was a little drugged yesterday because of the pain I wasn't in due to the infection in my gall bladder. I am thankful they were able to remove the stones that were blocking things and then take th gall bladder out! However, especially with what I am going through, I wanted to post this as an encouragement to me and hopefully, it will be encouraging you with what you are facing.

Patrick eventually returned to his family in Great Britain. His parents begged him to never leave them again, but the religious visions returned and presented Patrick with a different plan. He heard the voice of the Irish call out, “We beg you, holy boy, to come and walk again among us.” (HISTORY)

He had just returned home and been reunited with his family. It had been six long years. His parents not know if he was still alive or not and St. Patrick not know if he would live through the night. Praying throughout his days and nights came from a necessity. Some times I wonder if he even prayed to die rather than to suffer the way that he did. His master was ruthless and negligent. He didn't take care of his slaves and his enemies he cut their heads off and posted them on a stake surround his lands. I can't imagine the bombardment of fear that was always present. In these horrific events, we find out what we are made of. We realize deep inside who and what we really believe.

St. Patrick turned to the Lord God. He turned to the God of his father and mother. He prayed. History tells us he prayed 100 times a day and even more at night. He was captured and taken from everything he knew at age 16. He was made a slave with no end in sight until God gave him a vision. In his sleep an angle told him to exact, where to go and that a ship would be waiting for him. The terror of the 200 miles escape to the cargo ship must have been driven by adrenaline and fear. He couldn't get caught. He knew very well what would happen it he did.

There was not smooth sailing back to England. I can't find what happened to the cargo ship other than they all abandoned it and were in France with no food. They crew taunted St. Patrick about his faith. He prayed, led the crew to Salvation in Jesus Christ, then a herd of pigs ran by. They ate well. He was captured and made to be a slave again but this time it was not for long. In all y research, I do not know about how he got free from his captivity the second time. But he did and he made it home.

...but the religious visions returned and presented Patrick with a different plan. He heard the voice of the Irish call out, “We beg you, holy boy, to come and walk again among us.” (HISTORY)

Did he wake up in cold sweets? The tsunami of terrifying memories of his time in slavery staking him to the bone. Chiseled on his mind every face he saw on a stake. The threats of the master and his overseers every time they saw him. The hunger pains. They cold nights, and bleak days. Never knowing if he would ever get home. Ah, he was finally home, so why would God send him back? This couldn't possibly be God! Could it?

One thing he did learn in that six years of slavery, is God's voice. He knew God's ways. God could tell us to do anything, Moses was sent back to Egypt, wasn't he? Yes, he was. This was God. He had a choice. It wasn't that he was saying no but he did have to work through his fears. He could not return as a slave just like Moses did not return as a prince of Egypt. He had to return in the power of God just like Moses. He would have to face his fears and know God is in control. He had a relationship with God due to his dire need and desperation. He needed to have the Word of God within him and the power of God strengthen him.

This was a big ask. St. Patrick had no idea this was God's plan for his life. I am not thinking he prayed for anyone in Ireland to get saved. Maybe there was a slight hope, for if they got saved they may turn from their wicked ways like the people of Nineveh. St. Patrick needed to bask in the love of God to kick fear out of his heart and mind. He need his thoughts to be saturated with God's demonstrated love to set him free not only from captivity but from his fears. He must face his fears to fulfill his destiny.

Father, You are amazing in all of Your ways. I cannot comprehend Your love for people. I ask for You to come into my life and search me. Am I afraid? What am I afraid of? I want to be in Your perfect love. I want to know You in such a way that I can trust You in every circumstance. You are my strength. Your peace stomps out the threats of evil. Your love removes fear. Come and pour Your love over me that I may be free from fear and in position to fulfill my destiny in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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