DON'T BE ISOLATIONIST: LOOK FOR TROUBLE!

DON’T BE ISOLATIONIST: LOOK FOR TROUBLE! By FELIX N.JARIKRE

 SCRIPTURAL ANCHOR: PS.64:1-7.

The best form of defence, military strategists say, is ATTACK. To retreat out of fear or depression is to suffer a satanic invasion that you are in no strength to repel or stop. Some people think it is safe for them to adopt an isolationist policy, and refuse to engage or create new relationships that could be of mutual benefits to themselves or others.  They have suffered humiliation  and defeat in their previous attempts to engage, socially or otherwise, with others, so they prefer now to adopt and maintain a “ SUPERIORITY-COMPLEX,” a Holier-Than-Thou attitude that allow them to think they are “protecting” themselves from the “POLLUTION” of others. In reality, they are HIDING, afraid to be hurt or disappointed again. Their isolationist policy is simply another giant cover-up for  their insecurity and fear. And that’s what makes  them to be vulnerable to hostile attacks.

Commodore Matthew C. Perry  of the United States Navy, in 1853, came to what is now known as Tokyo Bay. Japan was isolationist. Westerners were not allowed in the country, and their influences were strongly discouraged. Japanese contact with the West was limited to trade with the Dutch in Nagasaki city. Considering Perry as unfriendly and unwanted, the Japanese asked him to depart, and go to Nagasaki, a directive which he conveniently ignored. Surrounded by the Japanese fleet, he presented a counter-demand to have a letter from the U.S. president given to the shogun of Japan. He destroyed a few buildings in the harbour when the demand was denied. Promptly, the letter was presented. A year later, Perry returned to sign a treaty that opened up Japanese ports to U.S. trade, on terms favourable and dictated by the Americans. The Japanese had little choice but to agree because they were technologically outmatched. Indeed, United States ATTACKED when they were UNWANTED and REJECTED by their “ enemy.”  They overcame the hostile resistance of their enemy, and eventually secured their CO-OPERATION. Using geopolitical realities as analogy, it is certain that TROUBLE will LOOK for you if you fail to LOOK for TROUBLE!!!  When God commanded Israel to ATTACK and  TAKE-OVER the land of “ milk and honey” originally belonging to the war-like and battle-tested Canaanites, He was actually asking Israel to come out of their hiding place of insecurity/fear, and look for trouble! Go for what you want. Don’t let your lack of experience stop you from staking a claim on what you desire. Attack that problem! What you don’t know, humble yourself to learn, and bring resolution to that challenge facing you. The only way you can expand and grow is to look for trouble! As a child of God, you are called to be an EXPANSIONIST, not isolationist! Jericho was isolationist, and it was attacked and brought down by Joshua. (see Joshua 6:1-2)  As you attack your enemies of diseases, destitution and demotion, your “ God shall shoot at them with an arrow.” So ATTACK and EXPAND!