I have been reading Scripture, much found in Psalms and Proverbs, and in writings of other people found in emails, blogs, magazines. Today I came across an article by guest writer Rachel Pieh Jones in Christianity Today's Her*meneutics titled "Another Chance to be Afraid -- and Trust God." My fears seem so commonplace after reading of hers, but fear is fear. We all have something that causes concern to go into overdrive and become anxiety or worry or fear. Different words, same idea.
Points Jones made:
(1) Being safe is an illusion.
Of course it is. You think going to the store is safe but having surgery, especially cancer surgery, gives room for doubt. It is possible something could happen at the store or on the way to and from. Nothing we do is really safe. We tend not to think about some things because they are everyday occurences.
(2) You need Jesus.
If we believe in and trust Christ we have a safety net. He will take care of us. The need, as Jones said, does not cancel out your fears. It teaches you to trust. The fear still exists, but when it creeps up on you, you remember who it is you need most, more than anything, who will provide that calm assurance of being with you always. Psalm 53:6 is a good reminder - "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You." Continuing to be afraid or trusting yourself is a waste of time.
My birthday was this past Monday. It was the first day I felt better about anything. Only because of prayers being lifted up ... prayers like this one received in an email from friends -- taken from the devotional book, New Every Morning:
Set free, O Lord, my soul from all restlessness and anxiety;
give me that peace and power which flow from You;
keep me in all perplexities and distresses, in all fears
and faithlessness; that so upheld by Your power and stayed
on the rock of Your faithfulness, I may through storm and stress
remain in You, Christ Jesus our Lord.
Even emails I've had for a long time, I read again, to give us strength to go on ...
One Day at a Time
by Annie Johnson Flint
"As your days - so shall your strength be!" - Deuteronomy 33:25
One day at a time, with its failures and fears,
With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,
With its portion of pain, and its burden of care;
One day at a time, we must meet and must bear.
One day at a time, with its failures and fears,
With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,
With its portion of pain, and its burden of care;
One day at a time, we must meet and must bear.
One day at a time, to be patient and strong,
To be calm under trial, and sweet under wrong;
Then its toiling shall pass, and its sorrow shall cease;
It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace.
One day at a time-but the day is so long,
And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,
o piteous Christ, be near all the way;
Give courage and patience, and strength for the day
Swift comes His answer, so clear and so sweet;
"Yes, I'll be with you, your troubles to meet;
I will not forget you, nor fail you, nor grieve;
I will not forsake you; I never will leave."
Not yesterday's load, we are called on to bear,
Nor the morrow's uncertain and shadowy care;
Why should we look forward, or back with dismay?
Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.
One day at a time, and the day is His day;
He has numbered is hours, though they haste or delay.
His grace is sufficient, we walk not alone;
As the day, so the strength that He gives His own.
He has numbered is hours, though they haste or delay.
His grace is sufficient, we walk not alone;
As the day, so the strength that He gives His own.
I Refuse to be Discouraged
by Anonymous author
I refuse to be discouraged,
To be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted,
and here's the reason why ...
I have a God who’s mighty,
Who’s sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me,
and I am on His team.
He is all wise and powerful,
Jesus is His name;
Though everything is changeable,
My God remains the same.
My God knows all that’s happening;
Beginning to the end,
His presence is my comfort,
He is my dearest friend.
When sickness comes to weaken me,
To bring my head down low,
I call upon my mighty God;
Into His arms I go.
When circumstances threaten
to rob me from my peace;
He draws me close unto His breast,
Where all my strivings cease.
And when my heart melts within me,
and weakness takes control;
He gathers me into His arms,
He soothes my heart and soul.
The great "I AM" is with me,
My life is in His hand,
The "Son of the Lord" is my hope,
It’s in His strength I stand.
I refuse to be defeated,
My eyes are on my God;
He has promised to be with me,
as through this life I trod.
I’m looking past all my circumstances,
I’m looking past all my circumstances,
To Heaven’s throne above;
My prayers have reached the heart of God,
I’m resting in His love.
I give God thanks in everything,
My eyes are on His face;
The battle’s His, the victory’s mine;
He’ll help me win the race.
