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How To Overcome Fear During A Famine By Pastor Dapo Adeniyi One of the things a famine or scarcity causes is fear. This is particularly so when what is in short supply is desperately needed for survival. Food for example, or purchasing power, which is money. Famine can befall an individual, not only with regard to food or funds but in other areas of life as well. There can be a famine of love and affection. A famine of respect and honour, of strength and health, etc. Conversely, there can be a rain of finances, strength, affection, favour, honour and respect. A famine can also happen to a nation. Even though famines have been caused by indiscretion on the part of men or worsened by it, in the majority, the causes are known only to God. An environment that has known a cycle of rain and dry season, seeding and harvest for very many years can be hit by a cessation of rain, as was the case with the whole world in the time of Joseph. Cain is also described as a cunning hunter. And that kind of appellation is earned, not awarded cheaply. He was by no means a slack person, especially when it came to his work. His father often ate from his catch and had grown a taste for it. What most people who enter life’s harvest without having significantly experienced a famine often forget is that, a harvest is a grant from God, not attributable solely to human effort. And pride resulting from one’s accomplishment or acquisition is bare dishonesty. There comes a time when the best does not win. The Bible cautions that the race is not always given to the swift, neither is the battle always won by the mighty. Famine can drive an individual from anxiety to fear, and from fear to panic. Let’s observe that one of the first things Prophet Elijah said to the widow in Zarepath was “fear not”. This is because fear borne by scarcity can bind a hand that normally gives. We can remember how Jesus praised the poor widow in the temple who gave what amounted to all her life’s earnings in the offering. The chains of lack however are nothing compared to the manacles won by the greedy. As a Christian worker over many years, I can attest that the rich are the stingiest. The rich don’t give, with the exception of those who grew their substance under the tutelage of heaven. Fear becomes the norm when famine has a landfall. It makes men travel in the opposite of where God’s deliverance and provisions reside. The tendency is to horde and accumulate, not give or water altars as Elijah commanded the people during that memorable contest on Mount Carmel. That is why, when God shows up, the first thing He does is take the fear out. I was in Zimbabwe years back and I witnessed the extent the government went to preserve water to keep the nation alive because of a grievous drought that beset their region. Scarcity can wear down a generous spirit but by witnessing a rain of the power of Jehovah Jireh and through continuous exposure to God’s word, the chains of fear can be broken and destroyed. Elijah is sent to meet the widow of Zarepath. I can bet that she was not the only widow there. I see here that God knows all His works indeed. He knows every soil into which His word may be sown. Those going forward to sow His word must depend on Him for direction, otherwise they will waste a lot of seed and till barren ground. The work becomes unduly difficult. Elijah did not know the widow previously but was led thereto. The widow was a willing spirit. We also note here how the word is given by a vessel fully submitted before God and not one filled with greed. Elijah asks the woman to take the leap of faith but also gave consideration to her wellbeing. Be watchful for the absence of love in so-called ministry. Be sure that hirelings and deceivers will be callous. Elijah tells the woman to make a little cake for him even though her situation was dire. She should also make for herself and her son. A hireling will request to consume everything and set that as a condition for her and her son to see the provision of God.