Q. How can I retain my personal composure and stability in the face of today’s troubled scene?
A. This is a question which millions are asking today. Remember, we have the promise of Scripture made to every Christian in every circumstance, “Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6,7). It is clear that our personal composure and stability are not supposed to depend upon our external circumstances, but on our inner relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible never promises us cooperating circumstances or predictable tomorrows. Christ, however, does promise us, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20). Christian joy is built on union with Christ and the confidence that He lives within our hearts. Certain of this, we can talk with confidence despite the troubled scene on the outside. Confidence which is built on the presence and promise of Christ is a sure thing; all other confidences, even in the mind of a Christian, are shaky foundations indeed.

Q. How can I get over being afraid to speak of Christ?
A. In the Scriptures we notice that most of the time the disciples had no such problem. About them, the Scripture says, “And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to harken unto you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:18-20). The disciples saw Christ, they heard Him preach and the balance of their lives was spent telling the world about Him. Nevertheless, the Apostle Paul asked for prayer, “that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Eph. 6:19,20).

Q. How can I be controlled by the Holy Spirit?
A. It is never the intention of the Lord that you be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Rather, the Scripture teaches that we are led by the Spirit, saying, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14). The Spirit, rather, would teach us that blessed quality of self-control. We are not marionettes pulled by strings from heaven. No, we are free moral agents and the Christian grows more free every day.