REAL SLAVERY

Hello one, hello all.

How are you doing this fine day? Here’s hoping you’re doing fine and that God continues to be with you and guide you.

First, let me apologize for my absence here last week, and I even had premium gist oo, unfortunately, my phone was stolen last Wednesday and I spent my last Thursday trying to recover my SIM cards so I couldn’t gist, but here I am today.

It's Guest Feature Thursday!! Today's gist is extra special because I've finally gotten my older sister to come gist on the blog. And the gist she brings? You just have to read it! I pray that you are blessed by it too! 

So, welcome to today’s gist.

Fear according to the English dictionary is a strong, uncontrollable, unpleasant emotion or feeling caused by actual or perceived danger or threat. The same dictionary also defines fear as terrified veneration or reverence, particularly towards God, gods, or sovereigns. However, I'd like to talk about the first definition of fear, "a strong, uncontrollable, unpleasant emotion or feeling caused by actual or perceived danger or threat." My dad would always tell us, by us I mean my siblings and I, that fear is an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real. I absolutely agree with him. Sometimes, the things we are afraid of are not actually real or can not really harm us, it's usually just the devil playing with our head and emotions by creating images, imaginations or even making a big deal out of things he sees we're scared of, in a bid to hold us captive. Yes, I see fear as a bondage, as captivity. 

Family and close friends can attest to the fact that I was the "first born of fear". Funny enough, I wasn't really scared of things like animals or someone physically harming me. I was afraid of the unknown. I couldn't stay in the dark alone, I couldn't even stay alone even in the day time. I used to deceive my younger sister (who is actually the owner of this blog) to accompany me when I was asked to go into the room or anywhere at all (this is me Achenyo adding that this girl suppose pay me money for all those unnecessary waka wey I waka when I small😂). I'd start up fake stories to catch her attention. Well, she eventually became wise, realised what I was doing and stopped. I decided to start dragging my younger brother who was barely 5 years old to follow me, kai, the devil is wicked o😅. I remember my elder sister asking me a question, and in her words she said, “that thing you're afraid of, when it comes, is it you that will save Caleb or he will save you?” I can also remember that in secondary school, I'd ask my friend to follow me to ease myself in broad daylight simply because I couldn't risk going to the restroom and not seeing anyone there(Achenyo here again saying God bless you Sai ♥️, na you continue from where I stop😂). 

One year, I lost my cousin and a former pastor. Haaa! My fears increased! I was scared of bumping into them, I even encouraged myself once that "ehen even if I see them, I didn't kill them so they won't harm me”, but sadly that little encouragement did little or nothing at all. Thinking about all these now is both funny and sad. Funny because the fear was unnecessary, sad because of how long and deep the devil played with me. If you had asked me what I was afraid of, I wouldn't have been able to tell you in clear terms what it was.

Hmm, there are a lot of stories to share about how the devil held me in bondage via fear. But the good news is that God pulled me out. I can't exactly tell you how or when He did it, I just realized after secondary school that I was "over that". This is not to say I don't get scared sometimes, I mean I'm still human.

There's nothing good that comes out of fear. Friends, I know I'm not alone on this table. Fear makes a person vulnerable and accessible to the devil's use. It makes a person doubt God's presence and capability to protect. Fear limits people and delays or destroys their potential to do or be better. Fear can even weaken physical health, it can also contribute to anxiety and depression. It can as well lead to irrational thoughts, misconceptions and false assumptions.

It's my prayer that anyone still in the bondage of fear be pulled out. The God who helped me is still alive and more than able to help you. Just got to Him with your fears and allow Him to do His thing, He has after all not given you the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. 

Thank you so much Oldie for coming on the blog, your words have blessed me, and made me laugh as I remember wetin fear use you do😂. But really guys, God did a thing with helping my sister overcome fear and if you're plagued by fear, believe me, you can go to God and He'll deliver you. 

TUNES AND THOUGHTS: The song for this gist, as recommended by our guest, is No longer slaves by Bethel Music featuring Jonathan David and Melissa Helser. Particularly, these lines resonate strongly: "I am surrounded by the arms of the Father; I am surrounded by songs of deliverance; We've been be liberated (yah); From our bondage; We're the sons and the daughters; Let us sing our freedom”. I pray that this song reminds you that you don't need to let the devil enslave you through fear. 

Well, that is that about that as far as that is concerned, see you next week!

Love,

Achenyo. 

PS. It's 38 days to my dad's 70th birthday, please continue to pray for him.