Rembrandt Jesus Calming the Storm

How to Keep from Going Crazy

By Pastor Johnny Almond

David heard these comments and was afraid of what King Achish might do to him.

So he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard.

1 Samuel 21:12, 13 NLT

David’s faith reached a very low ebb. The same man who had toppled a tyrant ran scared. Fearing a fight, he took flight. Overhearing royal servants talking about what to do with him, he panicked and grew dreadfully afraid of the king of Gath. Flooded with cowardice, he pretended to be insane so he would not be harmed! What a sad picture!

 

I am the Lord of Truth. If you are going to keep from going crazy, you must avoid fabrication. Dishonesty is delirious.

I am the Lord of Triumph. To avoid craziness, resist fear. I have not given you a timid spirit, but a brave heart and a rational mind. Live fearlessly, unintimidated by mortals. Insecurity is insane.

I am the Lord of Tranquility. If you are going to avoid madness, you must not feign. Get real! Counterfeiting is crazy. Bread of My Presence is the food you need to give you presence of mind. Companionship with Christ will calm your inner being.

Corrie ten Boom prayed that I would keep her from going crazy in Ravensbruck. She trusted Me as her Hiding Place whatever happened. You are not locked in a concentration camp, but life can still be difficult. You may feel you are about to lose your mind, but you will not if you keep your mind on Me.

Live truthfully—avoid dishonesty. Be sincere and stay sane.

Live victoriously—avoid debility. Be strong and stay sensible.

Live calmly—avoid duplicity. Be single-minded and stay serene.

Focus all your energies on the beautiful future I have planned for you. Strain to reach the finish line of the Faith Marathon. When you feel like running away, run into your Savior’s arms. You are not an inmate in an insane asylum; you are a guest of divine hospitality. Open the door to My love—quit foaming at the mouth and wash your face in the refreshing water of My Holy Spirit. Let your King’s smile dry your tears. Do not scribble graffiti on the imprisoning walls of the world—treasure wonderful words I have already written on the walls of your heart.

With My help, you can maintain sanity in a crazy world.

Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Lord God Almighty,

Day before yesterday, for one day at least, millions of Americans looked up into the heavens –

     gazing at what for some would be a once-in-a-lifetime event;

     hoping to see two and a half minutes of darkness as the moon went rogue;

     wanting to experience the feeling of awe as astronomical predictions came true.

Instead of looking around at troubling current events, and being discouraged –

     we looked up in amazement at the extraordinary arrangement of sun and moon

          and saw evidence that You are still in charge of the universe.

Rather than looking around at chaotic circumstances, and being frustrated –

    we looked up in wonder at the precise fulfillment of the scientific forecast

            and saw evidence that there is a Designer behind the design         

Instead of looking around at responsibilities, and being tired –

     we looked up in reverence at supernatural control of the universe

            and saw evidence that “your strength is perfect when our strength is gone.”

We had been warned not to look directly at the sun,

     lest our eyes be damaged, or we might even go blind –

          reminding us that the sun is an object lesson in humility,

                 that You are God and we are not.       

The eclipse gave us a super reminder of our role as followers of Jesus —

      Jesus is the Son;  we are not;  we are moons;

           we should never step in front of the Son and block the light.  

Lord, teach us that though we do not know everything and cannot do everything,

     we can reflect light into the dark places of the world –

            changed from the inside out by your grace,

                we can influence others to change for the better as they see your light in us.

Help us to be moons – reflective surfaces bouncing Light beyond light

     into the dark corners of this world, especially our own little corner.

Light of the world, by your grace, we can live as children of the Light – heaven help us!

Amen.

Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Jonathan made David reaffirm his vow of friendship again, for Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself.

1 Samuel 20:17 NLT

I am the Heart of real friendship. Those who love Me love others who love Me—Jesus’ sheep flock together. People who call Me friend become the best of friends with others sharing the same passion. When two people pledge faithfulness in My Name, they enter into a covenant honoring their Greatest Friend. Entrusting each other into My hands forever, they are two bodies with one soul.

I am the Bond of authentic friendship. Not just for a while, but forever, I reinforce the friendships of people depending on Me. My faithful love encourages trusting hearts in relationship with fellow believers.

I am the Hope of genuine friendship. Though friends may be separated a while, enduring pain of loneliness, their hearts are still joined by love, and their friendship endures because of heaven’s gift of optimism. Celebrate true friendships I give you. Cultivate new friendships with those who reverence Me. Do not let selfishness take over. Be sure you do not become so self-absorbed you do not have time to listen, to help, to share with people in need. Do not get so wrapped up in yourself that you do not want to get involved with fellow human beings in their pain.

I am your Loyal Friend—be loyal to friends I give you. Unless your actions are motivated by love, they are worthless. Eloquent, angelic speech is gibberish if not spoken from the heart. If you could demystify the future and explain the workings of the universe, your lectures would be total nonsense without the heartbeat of love. If you grudgingly closed out your bank account to feed the poor, it would be wasted benevolence.

Real friendship is kind to everyone, realizing everyone you meet is engaged in a tough fight. Authentic friendship endures, never loses faith in Me or My friends, and always hopes for a better day for loved ones.

For heaven’s sake, be friendly toward your spouse and children—love them sacrificially, like Christ loves you. Maintain close friendship with the members of My family—going out of your way to help them.

Live a life of giving, not just getting—walking in the footsteps of the Friend of sinners. Like Him, be a real friend—all heart!

Pastor Johnny R. Almond

Giant Slayer

© by Pastor Johnny R. Almond

The Lord does not need weapons to rescue his people. It is his battle, not ours. The Lord will give you to us!

1 Samuel 17:47 NLT

I am the Lord of Victory—the One able to slay giants you face every day. When terrifying monsters march out from Satan’s ranks and shout their aggravating challenge to the army of believers, no one except Almighty God can triumph over them.

Spiritual battles are won by the sword of My Spirit. Military force cannot combat hell. There are no laser-guided bombs, tanks, or machine guns in My arsenal. Only omnipotence adds battle streamers to your victory flag. Conflicts with evil are resolved by My sovereignty. I am for you—no force can defeat you. I am on your side—you cannot lose.

A smooth stone in the hand of a believing adolescent did more than an iron spear in the hand of a blasphemous, battle-hardened giant. Razing Satan’s strongholds takes more than cruise missiles! The world’s methods cannot stop demonic hordes. But implicit faith, persistent prayer, undying hope, sacrificial love, My authoritative Word, and My Invincible Holy Spirit can conquer whatever hell can muster.

Don My invisible armor—encircle yourself with the truth belt to intensify convictions, body armor of right living to prevent mortal blows, the faith shield to extinguish temptation’s arrows, and salvation’s helmet to keep your mind clearly focused on My work. Brandish My Spirit Sword to slay giants trying to intimidate you. Heaven’s battle gear is uncommon and unparalleled—the only way you can win over sin. You have learned by now I rescue you without weapons—someday everyone will know.

I slay giants in your life—lust, jealousy, temper, egocentricity, envy, anxiety, and pride. I slay sexual immorality with unselfish love, garbage thoughts with self-control, idolatry with loyalty, frenzy with patience, envy with kindness, selfishness with contentment, bigotry with generosity, drunkenness on worldly happiness with invulnerable joy, consuming worry with celebrative worship, and conceit with humility.

The ongoing warfare you are engaged in is not against human opponents, but against demonic forces from the dark side. If you fight in supernatural strength, you can take Satan by the scruff of the neck and conquer him.

Be confident of winning—allow nothing to faze you. I am the Victor over Satan, hell, sin, and death. Let Me do the fighting for you—I will be your Giant Slayer.

Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity