Fear

Weekly Memory Verse: "For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." -- Isaiah 41:13

Over the past year, fear has been an unfortunate constant in my life - fear for my husband's life while he was at war, fear about how Adeline and I would live without Tim if God took him Home, fear for my little girl's health (severe reflux, food allergies, and aspiration), fear about my parents' divorce, and fear for my daughter's safety (unspoken reasons). However, my fear is disobedient to God. Fear is written about over 500 times in The Bible and "fear not" is the most repeated command in His Word. I guess God knew we would struggle with this emotion! I want to make the choice, here and now, to trust God's plan for my life and to fear not. He is in control, He is my protector, He causes all things to work together for good, He knows the number of my days. 

When I came upon this verse, I felt a physical rush of calm as I imagined God truly holding my hand. Really, try this! Close your eyes and feel the sensation of God holding your hand and embrace it for a few moments. Isaiah 41:13 ensures us that God WILL help us: "...Do not fear; I will help you." I believe this promise.  When fear inevitably creeps in I will use this verse to defend myself against Satan's grip and choose to feel God take my hand instead. 

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P.S. As I wrote this post, CNN aired a show called "To Heaven and Back." One of the interviewees who was diagnosed with cancer, died, went to Heaven, and came back to life explained that she learned fear literally poisoned her body. Once she experienced the love of Christ in Heaven, she knew to fear not! Now, she is cancer free. Five different oncologists remarked that they have never experienced cancer disappear as it has in her case.