Life on Mars ContentDo Not Fear
When Moses died, Joshua (his trained successor) stepped into his role. Upon assuming his new position, the Lord talks to him to prepare him for the tasks that lay ahead of him. One of the first things that Joshua is told is not to be afraid. “Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
If there is one piece of advice that occurs over and over again in scripture it is to not be fearful or afraid. The word fear or is derivative occurs 260 times in the Bible and in many cases it is an encouragement to not fear. The propensity to fear is one of the experiences we all share in common.
At the moment I have good reason to let fear grab a hold of me. On Tuesday, Jan 8th I received a phone call from my urologist telling me that I have prostate cancer. As I put down the receiver, fear was lurking in the shadow of my mind. I very quickly went to a favorite verse of mine; Psalm 112:7 in the old Living Bible, “He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen, for he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him.”
My experience has led me to conclude that I have fears/regrets about the past or live in fear of the future. As it relates to the past, I wish I hadn’t said this or done that and now I’m living in fear of what may result from past folly, sin or mistakes. Or I borrow from the future playing the “what if” game in my mind. What if this happens? What if that happens? What will I do? How will I cope? Someone remarked, “what do you mean it doesn’t pay to worry. Most of the things I worry about never happen.”
For me, the temptation is to play the “what if” game. What will I do if the cancer has spread to other parts of my body? What will I do if I get really sick and can’t function normally anymore? What if they tell me it is really advanced and I have 6 months to live? What if? What if? What if? It is so easy to live in the past or borrow from the future and have no energy left to live in the present; in the moment.
A few years ago I came across Matthew 6:34 in The Message. Most people know Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” In fact Matthew 6: 25-34 is, in my thinking, the best passage in the New Testament on not fearing, worrying or be anxious. But Verse 34 is often overlooked, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes” (The Message). This challenge to live in the moment has been a great help to me in and will be now as I face the unknown.
Through the years I have feared:
1. Rejection
2. Not being successful
3. Not making it financially
4. People’s opinion of me
5. Failure
As I begin my cancer journey, I want to replace potential paralyzing fear with faith in the character and promises of God.
While we’re on the subject of fear, what type of fear is currently gripping your heart and life? Don’t go to God and tell him how big your problems are, but go to your problems and tell them how big your God is.
Thanks for sharing Pastor Dave. We are praying for you!! God continues to encourage us through you…thank you for reminding us to “go to your problems and tell them how big your God is.”
I have always been prone to worry and always about things that ultimately I would have no control over the outcome. It is always a breath of fresh air to be reminded of God’s power, love and just how much he cares for us. I felt the peace that comes from knowing that God is ALWAYS in control. Thank you for your words of encouragement, I will be praying for you.
This message really touched me. I have heard it many times but it is always good to hear it again. Easier said than done, but I will keep trying. Thank you!
I am also on this journey of living life with cancer. I was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in August of 2007. At the time of my diagnosis, I was given mere weeks to live. Many of the same questions that you ask were roiling through my head. Yet thanks be to God, here I am alive and (almost) well in June of 2008. Yes, I still have cancer. Yes, “metanasties” may kill me. Yet God has done an incredible work in my life of bringing me closer to Him and healing the emotional wounds of the past. He has brought my life into total focus on Him and total surrender to His will. If he chooses to heal me, then praise God - I will live to see my future grandchildren and enjoy my family for many years to come. If he chooses not to heal me, then praise God - I will live in Heaven with Him forever.