What do Facebook, sickness and fear have in common? Read on to find out.
Once upon a time a woman became sick with chronic fatigue syndrome, amongst other ailments, and then God healed her. No, this is not a fairy tale, but part of my true story.
MY STORY
I was once the energizer bunny running from place to place and juggling a lot of balls. Then I became so sick that I could not walk to the mailbox.
My immune system was low, my memory was impaired, focusing was difficult and noise as well as light bothered me. Ninety percent of my days were spent lying down in silence or with the TV on. Eventually, I could do activities by doing nothing the day before and after, no matter how short the outing was.
I had faith that the Lord could heal me, but it wasn’t happening.
After many years, I heard Biblical teachings about healing.1 As I heard the truth, I was healed! Praise the Lord! But wait, why didn’t my strength and stamina return? For some crazy reason, I didn’t believe the Lord would heal that, and I didn’t receive it. Opps! Over time, my strength and stamina increased, but were still well below normal.
SO, WHAT GIVES?
While praying for an answer, I kept hearing “fear.”
Fear? That didn’t make sense. Was fear just my thought? But each time I prayed, I gently heard “fear.” Finally, I asked God, “If the reason is fear, then give me an understanding of what that means.”
I called on the Lord in distress;
The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place,
Psalm 118:5
THE ANSWER?
HOW DID FEAR AFFECT MY BODY?
Fearful thoughts affected my body decreasing my stamina and increasing exhaustion. I dwelt more on what I could no longer do rather than being thankful for what I could do. I saw my abilities through the limitations of the past rather than through God’s possibilities for the future.
Now what?
I had to change my perspective, combat the fear and in faith see myself as healed.
BY FAITH, I COMBATTED FEAR IN 3 WAYS
#1 UNFRIEND FEAR!
A vision came to mind of me holding hands with fear!
AWWW!
As soon as I recognized it was fear, I tore away my hand and shook it to make sure there was no residue on it. This was my relationship with fear! I had made fear my friend! Although I didn’t like fear, I had tolerated it rather than hate it. This verse came to me;
Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good,
Romans 12:9.
In order to have victory, I needed to see fear as evil, hate it and “unfriend” fear.
#2 FORGIVE
How does forgiveness have anything to do with fear? Well, because fear is not from God and I had accepted fear’s friend request, I had to ask God’s forgiveness.
There is no fear in love.
But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
The one who fears is not made perfect in love,
1 John 4:18
But more forgiveness was needed.
Feeling guilty that it took me so long to recognize and unfriend fear, meant I had to forgive myself. Out of obedience, I did.2 In God’s loving grace, I knew He had forgiven me, (1 John 1:9), and forgotten about it, (Psalm 103:12).
#3 BLOCK!
Just like we block people to cut them out of our lives on Facebook, I blocked fear.
Therefore, submit to God.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you,
James 4:7
WHAT IF FEAR COMES BACK?
There are times when it is difficult not to dwell on fearful thoughts. Everything just seems to be going wrong and we get overwhelmed. That’s when fear may come again trying to friend us.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
IF FEAR COMES KNOCKING, KEEP ON BLOCKING!
God loves us so much that He does not want us to live with fear or anything else that steals away our hope, peace or interferes with His abundant love for us.
IN FAITH LOOK TO GOD
You keep in perfect peace one whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You,
Isaiah 26:3 TLV
REMEMBER
FEAR HAS NO POWER IN OUR LIFE!
For God has not given us the spirit of fear,
but of power, and of love,
and of a strong mind,
2 Timothy 1:7
CHRIST IS STRONGER THAN FEAR!
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,
Philippians 4:13
REFLECTION
Do you need to unfriend fear?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write 2 Timothy 1:7 and say it aloud, strengthen my faith and help me to unfriend and block fear. Remind me that You have not given me fear, but given me power, Your love and a sound mind. In Jesus name, Amen.
BY FAITH, WE CAN OVERCOME FEAR
For a song to encourage you, check out Fear Is a Liar by Zach Williams.
May your day be filled with love and laughter!
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For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
1 www.beinhealth.com
2 FAITH TO CLIMB – DianeLese
Photo rabbit only, Stefan Fluck-
Photo cat, Raffotto
Photo boy, Isa Kasrakus
Photo wall only, Panget
