While going through the channels recently on television, I happened across an old James Bond movie.  You know, the 007 spy, who went through many adventurous near death situations, yet was never killed?  During that few minutes watching, I realized there is a similarity between James Bond and what God would have His children be like.  Before you think I’ve lost it, let me explain, and I’m sure you’ll agree.
    During the part of the movie I watched, James Bond was being offered a drink, and was asked what he would like.  James replied, “a maritini, please…stirred, not shaken.  The Holy Spirit clearly spoke to me saying, “That’s what I’d like my children to be; stirred, not shaken.”  That’s a real revelation, I’d say, considering that every time the devil threatens us with this or that, such as sickness, or a job loss or some other potential disaster, most people just come unglued.  And unfortunately, the same must be said of many “believers” as well. 
    As believers, that is, disciples of Christ Jesus, we are not immune to attacks from the devil, as some would think.  Many Christians go along just fine, thinking they’re ten feet tall and bulletproof as long as the devil is leaving them alone.  But let the devil attack them in any way, and they are instantly in panic mode, wondering what happened to God’s protection.  Actually, nothing happened to it at all, but sometimes our perception of God’s hand upon our lives does change from time to time according to circumstances.  Let’s look at what Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-27:
   Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
   That means the trials come to both those who build their house on the rock AND those who build theirs upon the sand.  But the difference is the one whose house was built upon the rock did not fall. Knowing ahead of time that trials will come, BUT the Lord will not let you fall, may not make you look forward to the trials, however.  But it is encouraging to know that the end result is that when the dust is settled, you will still be standing, for the strength to stand does not come from you, but from the Lord himself.
    It is written in James 1:2-4, My Brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience hav her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.   Does that mean you are to go around smiling from ear to ear when you are in hardship?  If you can, fine, but we are to count it all joy, knowing this, joy and smiling are not the same.
   There are many people who smile, but have no joy inside.  Joy means gladness and rejoicing.  You may think there’s nothing to rejoice about in your trials, but yes, there IS for you are undefeatable when Christ Jesus is your Lord and Savior. 
    Samuel Colt, the inventor of the famous Colt pistol once said, God created all men equal, but my Colt revolver makes you a little more equal than the next man.  Now applying this mentality to a God fearing, Holy Ghost filled person, what is there to fear from ANYTHING the devil throws at you, when the Greater One is in you?  After all, it is written in Romans 8:31; What shall we then say to these things?  If God be for us, who can be against us?
    Look at it this way; when trials come, it’s actually an opportunity for God to show Himself faithful again.  I say “again” because He is always faithful, time after time.  Never once will you find God shirking His responsibility or forsaking one of His children in their time of trial.  But like most of His kids, we would rather be delivered “from” trials, rather than “through” them.  I’m sure Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would have much rather been delivered “from” the fiery furnace in Daniel 3:13-30, than “through” it, but little did they know the way God chose to handle their situation would result in a much more glorious conclusion, with God getting the glory for delivering them, PLUS, a sizeable promotion for them.  You need to read it again and again.
   When you look at their story, it’s obvious they were “stirred” by their faith in Almighty God, and not “shaken” by the threats of the King, OR his fiery furnace.  When we stir up the Word of God inside us, it sends doubt and fear running for it’s life.  1 John 4:18-19 says, There is no fear in love’ but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  We love Him, because He first loved us.  You can trust God’s love, it’s perfect, even though our love toward Him is not perfect.  When we consider Jesus, who endured the cross in order to save us, it’s again obvious He was “stirred, not shaken”, just as He would have us be today.  Notice I said “us”, which also includes YOU!~
The next time you’re hit by an attack of the enemy, don’t let fear rise up and defeat you, be STIRRED, NOT SHAKEN.