Day 2 – His Love Conquers Fear. Yes, Really.
Cancer can strike fear into the most faithful of us. The fear of the unknown, what might happen, and what to do next can seem overwhelming. Our own frailty and the enemy of our souls, the devil, can work overtime in our thoughts and emotions with a barrage of what-ifs and what will be our outcome?
From God’s Word, we learn that fear is our biggest adversary, even greater than cancer itself (Psalms 64:1 “O God, listen to my complaint. Protect my life from my enemies’ threats.”) That is why our Father so tenderly and yet firmly in the Bible tells us hundreds of times over not to be afraid. From the Old to the New Testament, He invites us to move past fear, worry, and anxiety. How is this accomplished? The Lord’s antidote to all fear is His love.
John, the apostle, tells us that perfect love casts out all fear, but how do we arrive at trusting the love of the Lord Jesus perfectly in our weakness, frailty, or pain? We begin by pouring over His Word and what He is saying. We take baby steps of faith to dare to believe what He is speaking even if others have failed us because He will not.
Take time to meditate upon God’s Words that speak of His love, care, forgiveness, and ability to heal. Doing this doesn’t mean we are in denial or not listening to our physicians, which is not genuine faith. It does mean that we are making a concentrated effort to keep our soul – our minds, emotions, ability to choose, and personalities – effectively focused upon His love as it revealed through His Word. Think of it as a daily prescription for your heart, life, and health.
Many of us doubt Jesus’ love for us personally. Am I right? I did for years. Even as a minister of the gospel. I needed to accept His complete forgiveness for my sin even as I struggled with debilitating behaviors. God’s platform of forgiveness, grace, and love became the launching pad to emotional and physical healing for me.
If you do nothing else, saturate yourself in the knowledge of God’s love for you from His Word. Next, ask Him for the felt presence and experience of His love through the Holy Spirit. These two requests together will always defeat fear. But this is between you and Jesus. No one can do it for you.
___________
How were you challenged or encouraged from what you just read?
Further Bible References:
Exodus 15:26 He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you.”
Psalm 103:1-3 1 Let all that I am praise the LORD ; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the LORD ; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
Matthew 8:16-17 16 That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. 17 This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.”
Mark 1:32-34 32 That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33 The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 34 So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.
Isaiah 41:10-13 10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. 11 “See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and humiliated. Anyone who opposes you will die and come to nothing. 12 You will look in vain for those who tried to conquer you. Those who attack you will come to nothing. 13 For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
1 John 4:17-19 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first.
Jeremiah 31:3 Long ago the LORD said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
Reading Plan provided by www.sueboldt.com
