A Gentle Whisper -- Listening for the Voice of God Johnny Almond  

How to Keep from Going Crazy

Rembrandt Jesus Calming the Storm

 

 

David heard these comments and was afraid of what King Achish might do to him.

So he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard.

1 Samuel 21:12, 13 NLT

 

David’s faith reached a very low ebb. The same man who had toppled a tyrant ran scared. Fearing a fight, he took flight. Overhearing royal servants talking about what to do with him, he panicked and grew dreadfully afraid of the king of Gath. Flooded with cowardice, he pretended to be insane so he would not be harmed! What a sad picture!

 

I am the Lord of Truth. If you are going to keep from going crazy, you must avoid fabrication. Dishonesty is delirious.

 

I am the Lord of Triumph. To avoid craziness, resist fear. I have not given you a timid spirit, but a brave heart and a rational mind. Live fearlessly, unintimidated by mortals. Insecurity is insane.

 

I am the Lord of Tranquility. If you are going to avoid madness, you must not feign. Get real! Counterfeiting is crazy. Bread of My Presence is the food you need to give you presence of mind. Companionship with Christ will calm your inner being.

 

Corrie ten Boom prayed that I would keep her from going crazy in Ravensbruck. She trusted Me as her Hiding Place whatever happened. You are not locked in a concentration camp, but life can still be difficult. You may feel you are about to lose your mind, but you will not if you keep your mind on Me.

 

Live truthfully—avoid dishonesty. Be sincere and stay sane.

 

Live victoriously—avoid debility. Be strong and stay sensible.

 

Live calmly—avoid duplicity. Be single-minded and stay serene.

 

Focus all your energies on the beautiful future I have planned for you. Strain to reach the finish line of the Faith Marathon. When you feel like running away, run into your Savior’s arms. You are not an inmate in an insane asylum; you are a guest of divine hospitality. Open the door to My love—quit foaming at the mouth and wash your face in the refreshing water of My Holy Spirit. Let your King’s smile dry your tears. Do not scribble graffiti on the imprisoning walls of the world—treasure wonderful words I have already written on the walls of your heart.

 

With My help, you can maintain sanity in a crazy world.

Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

 

Johnny

Johnny R. Almond earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey and a Diploma in Religious Studies from the University of Cambridge. After pastoring churches for a decade, he served the Air Force as a military chaplain in worldwide assignments. After retiring from the military in 2000, he began serving as pastor in Virginia. He currently serves as pastor of Hull's Memorial Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He and his wife, Beverly, have four sons, three grandsons, and three granddaughters.