Two of the most exciting verses on protection in all of Scripture are found in Isaiah 43:1-2: "But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passes through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walks through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."

Here is truly good news. Not only does God's protection extend to keeping you from being consumed by disaster, violence, sickness, or financial collapse, it will keep you from being affected by any of those things in the slightest way. When you walk through a fiery trial, not only will you not be burned, you will not even come out smelling like smoke.

Notice what this verse does not say: It does not say you will not go through the fire. Some Christians have come to believe they should never have to face a trial or a problem. They are in for a big surprise! Trials and troubles are going to come as long as we are in this world. Jesus told us to expect them (John 16:33).

No, Jesus never promised that we would not have problems. However, He did promise that we could be victorious over them because He already has overcome the world. I do not know what kind of "fire" you may be going through right now, but God said you could walk through it without even being singed.

You can walk through crises without even any signs of worry. You can walk through trouble with no extra gray hairs, no ulcers, and no headaches. You can walk through a tidal wave of difficult times and come out dry as a bone.

Notice what else the passage in Isaiah tells us. In it, God said, "I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine." Imagine that! God has laid claim to you.

Suppose you went outside and found someone bothering your child. In a flash, you would be there, saying, "No, Sir! This is my child. To get to her (or him), you will have to come through me!"

When the reality that God feels that way about you sinks down into your spirit and becomes a part of your understanding, fear will have a very hard time getting a foothold in your life again. Knowing this will make you bold.

God has claimed you for His own possession, which means that He has taken personal responsibility for your care and protection. You will stay in that protection unless you choose to walk out from under it of your own free will.

Source: Uprooting the Spirit of Fear by Creflo A. Dollar, Jr.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers