I did not sleep well last night. I find that as we approach the time of returning home and as the visits to the hospital and to our doctors become fewer and far between, there is not a sense of relief but a sense of fear. Throw into the mix the new healthcare laws going into effect in a matter of days and not really knowing how that will impact Allana’s ongoing care and I find myself doing just a little bit of internal churning. Friday enhanced for me the precariousness of her situation. This is not to say that this sense of fear came on suddenly, it has been building. It just kind of peaked last night and early this morning. But as I finally gave in to the hopelessness of getting back to sleep, again…I heard buzz of an incoming email and this is what I found:
Sep 29, 2013
Facing Your Fears
By Charles F. Stanley
http://www.intouch.org/you/article-archive/content?topic=facing_your_fears_article
I wanted to smile and cry at the same time. At that point the content of the devotional didn’t really matter. God was just reminding me the He knows where I am at every minute of every day. I am a little disappointed in myself that after all of His miraculous interventions in my life I am so easily sidetracked but it is great to KNOW that I have the God who is ready to coddle me when my human weaknesses show through. I did of course read the piece and the first major point highlighted what had really happened.
“The first and best move you can make to build up your faith is to get your eyes off your problem and off yourself and onto Jesus. He is the Source of all your supply. He is utterly reliable and possesses all knowledge and all authority. Speak aloud the words of Hebrews 13:6 until they sink deep within your spirit: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
People may criticize, reject, ridicule and persecute, but they can’t take away your salvation, your relationship with Jesus Christ, your eternal home in heaven, or the joy, contentment, and inner strength the Lord imparts to you.”
It is part of the incredible human disconnect that is at the heart of our faith. For the Children of God successfully facing fear means not looking at the problem, or problems that bring the fear, it means looking right into the face of Jesus. It is from this place that Paul tells the Philippians that he has learned to be content no matter what his circumstances are because no matter what is going on around him or what is happening to him, the face of Christ never changes. I would encourage you to go and read the rest of Stanley’s devotional for today but here are the basic points
Second, ask the Lord to give you the help you need.
Third, encourage yourself by memorizing the Word of God and quoting it as often as you need a fear-buster of inner strength.
And, finally, ask others to pray for you.
Fan Into Flame Ministries 