Chasing devils

Fear often shows up as something serious. Heavy.

When fear arrives, many of us slow down. We grow quiet. We try not to make mistakes. We tell ourselves to be careful. Joy feels like something we should save for later.

But some of the clearest lessons about fear come in simple ways. Not in big moments. In small ones we almost miss.

This is one of those moments.

What began as a walk on the beach with a small dog became a lesson about chasing devils with joy, and how fear loses its grip. Not through force. Not through arguing with it. Through joy.

Fear expects seriousness. Joy surprises it.

A Little Dog Who Knew Where She Belonged

I once had a little dog called Pompom.

She loved walking with me on the beach. Not for the water. Not for the shells. For the seagulls.

Her favourite thing in the world was chasing them.

If I saw a seagull first, I would point and say, “Get ’em!” and she would run straight away. No stopping. No checking back. Just a small black body running as fast as she could. If she saw them before I did, she did not wait for me. She ran anyway.

Pompom was small. Some of the seagulls were bigger than she was. This did not bother her at all.

She also believed she was the biggest dog on the beach. She chased anything in her way. Seagulls. Dogs. Sometimes people. Size never mattered to her. In her mind, the beach belonged to her. Everything else was just visiting.

How God Deals With Devils

As I stood there laughing at her, the Lord spoke and said,

“That’s what you should be doing with devils. When you see them, run at them. Chase them with all you’ve got and do it with joy. They panic when you move toward them. They do not know how to handle someone who refuses fear. They may try again, coming back to see if you will stop. But chase them two or three times, and they will leave, tired of your joy.”

I stood still when I heard this.

This was not how I generally handled demons or spiritual trouble.

I had learned to think of these things as dark and heavy. Serious. Something you face with tight shoulders and careful steps. Not laughter. Not ease. Not joy.

Yet joy is called our strength.

Not effort.
Not seriousness.
Joy.

How Devils Use Fear to Control Us

Fear grows when we stop and pull back from something we’re afraid of.

Devils like it when we engage with them. They like it when our thoughts race and our bodies feel tight. Fear hopes we will start planning our lives around it.

This is how fear stays in charge.

Fear expects us to feel scared. It expects us to focus on what might go wrong. It expects us to believe it.

But joy breaks this pattern.

Chasing Devils Through the Strength Of Joy

Joy does not build life around fear.

Joy releases faith. When we keep moving joy, our thoughts slow down. Our bodies relax. We can think more clearly. We become peaceful. Fear may still show up, but it no longer tells us what to do.

Joy helps us remember who we are.

Joy helps us remember we are not alone.

Demons don’t not know what to do with joy. They understand panic. They understand worry. Joy confuses them.

Strength Does Not Need to Shout

Real strength does not need to shout.
It keeps moving because it knows it is safe.

When the Bible says, “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” it was spoken into a very real moment.

The people had just heard God’s law read aloud. As they listened, they realised how far they had drifted. They began to cry. They felt ashamed. They expected trouble. They thought they were about to be corrected or punished.

They stood there heavy with regret, fearful of God’s response.

But God did not meet them with anger.

He told them to stop crying. He told them to eat, to drink, and to share with others. He told them this day was holy, not because they had done everything right, but because He was with them.

Then came the words they did not expect.

“Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

God did not tell them to feel worse so they could be strong. He did not tell them to work harder or fix themselves first. He gave them joy.

Joy was what would help them stand again.
Joy was what would help them rebuild.
Joy was what would carry them forward.

This is the power God gives.

Not loud.
Not harsh.
Not heavy.

Joy steadies the body. Thoughts slow down. Fear loses its grip, not because it disappears, but because it no longer gives orders.

Fear tenses.
Joy relaxes.

Fear pushes for panic.
Joy keeps you confident.

Joy makes fear uncomfortable.

Running Back for Approval

Every time Pompom chased a seagull away, she ran back to me. She jumped up for her reward. A pat. A kind word. The happiness in my voice mattered more to her than the chase itself.

Then she ran off again.

She never asked if she was allowed. She never wondered if the seagulls had more power than she did. She acted from a simple belief.

This place is mine.

When Life Moves On

Pompom has since passed on. I no longer walk that beach. That part of my life has ended.

The beach is still there. The seagulls still gather somewhere. What remains is not the place or the habit, but the lesson she showed me.

Fear still visits. Old worries still appear. But they do not stay long when met with joy.

When ideas like fear, joy, and strength are talked about, questions usually follow. Not because something is wrong, but because learning often starts with curiosity. These questions are here to slow things down, clear confusion, and help the lesson settle into everyday life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Closing Reflection

Our Dad is delighted when we chase devils. As far as He is concerned, the whole earth and the universe belong to us. We have the right of way. Any intruder bringing trouble, heartache, stress, or fear enters your space to be chased off and frustrated.

The key is in having fun. This is how you honour the Lord. In His presence is fullness of joy, happiness, fun and laughter. When you walk through life in the joyful presence of the Lord, nothing stands in your way.

Life changes. Places change. Even the ones who teach us move on. What remains is what we learn.

Fear may still appear. Old worries may still try to settle in. Joy sends them on their way.

Listen for the delight in your Father’s voice when fear threatens you.

That sound helps you keep going.

Don’t worry, be happy! 😊

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Yvonne van Wyk

I’m Yvonne van Wyk, a Christian author, Bible teacher, and business owner. Through God Enchantment, I explore how faith meets wonder and how Scripture comes alive in everyday life. I also serve as CEO of SA Golden Homes and founded Zahavah Studio, an SEO and content writing company. My heart is to reveal the beauty of God’s presence in both work and worship.

With love and wonder, Yvonne

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