“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The
Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2
After almost 8 years of constant cancer treatments,
you’d think I would have conquered fear by now. But fear still creeps up on me
when I let my guard down or let busy days squeeze out prayer time. Or sometimes
it attacks in the middle of the night, when I begin to wonder about aches and
pains that would be normal for most people, but not for a myeloma patient. Recently
when I felt a fear attack coming on while driving to an oncology appointment, I heard the Spirit say gently to me, “Dana, you need to remember
Who I Am.” I so often forget to look to Him first, to place Him between my life
and my circumstances, and to see my circumstances through His love and His plan
for me. I like to imagine the cross of Christ between me and every situation,
reminding me to look at circumstances and conversations from His point of view,
and trusting that He will filter every medical update, discussion, advice—even
conversations with people who are difficult to love. Imagining the cross of
Christ before me helps me remember to not only be a faithful witness, but
serves as a comforting protection that I will hear and receive only what He
desires for me.
If I really want to combat fear, I need to focus on
the truths and promises in His Word. I need to remember that God’s plan to send
his Son to earth was rooted in His great love for me and His desire that I
would spend eternity with Him. He wants me to live abundantly and joyfully on
this earth, resting in the assurance that He has much greater plans for me. Isaiah
reminds us that, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be
afraid. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” (Is.
12:2) Death is not an enemy for the Christian. Conquering our fear of death
opens up our lives to the joy that God wants us to have. “With joy you will
draw water from the wells of salvation. (Is. 12:3) I can accept what
happens in my life without bitterness or defeat when I remember that God’s plans
for me will always prevail, and that I will NOT leave this earth until his
perfect plan for my life is complete! To combat fear, I remember Who He Is, and
that no greater love exists. Our story on earth will not end until He decrees
it. Until then, we can rest in His promise to be with us every step of the way.
“Though
I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand
against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will
fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do
not forsake the work of your hands.” (Psalm 138:7-8)
Heavenly
Father, We need You. We need You every moment of this challenging journey. As
you told your people in Isaiah’s time, “If you do not stand firm in your faith,
you will not stand at all.” (Is. 7:9) How true this is for us! You are the only
one mighty to save us. Lead us along the path that is right for each of us,
increase our faith in your promises, and help us to trust You with every part of
our lives. Help our unbelief, God. Help us to remember that Jesus already
defeated death on the cross, and help us to walk in victory. Amen!
