Franklin Roosevelt is well known for his adage, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." In this instance, he was referring to the economic conditions of the Great Depression. Through this, he was trying to convey that if we as a country could not shake our pessimism, it would be tough to turn things around. The same goes for our individual lives—if we do not continue to battle our unconstructive, fearful thoughts; we may never find the strength and willpower to overcome and change unwanted circumstances.
Did you know the phrase "Do not be afraid" appears in the Bible 108 times? God says in Isaiah 41:10 "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." Do you believe or do you have difficulty accepting this as truth? It is a choice and I choose to believe!
For those of you who suffer with Lyme as I do, I am pointing this out because I believe it is important to be courageous during time of trial. Franklin was right, if we give into our fear, how can we turn things around for ourselves?
God’s truth is that he does not communicate to us through fear, but through encouragement and He is there to strengthen and help us.” Alas, it can be easy for us to fall into the fear factor; and even feel anger towards God due to our circumstances. And that is o.k.--He can handle it--as long as your faith remains in Him. Even Job questioned God about his horrific trials. I inadvertently have an uncanny ability to question everything with a pessimistic view, and I tend to have a "what if" mentality: What if my condition doesn't get better? What if the doctors are wrong —again? What if we can't afford it? What if the treatment makes my condition worse? What if ? . . . What if ? . . .etc. So my friends, not only am I speaking to you, but to myself for I struggle with bouts of fear.
I had conversation with a friend recently regarding healthy fear versus harmful fear. How do we know when the fear is rightful? Is the fear from God warning us of danger, or is it from Satan keeping us in our present state, or is just a simple circumstance of healthy fear?
God does not speak through fear, although he does empower us with healthy fear for our safety like crossing a street or driving in heavy traffic—this is a natural healthy fear. Galatians 6:12 states “The fruit of the Spirit (God) is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such this there is not law. When we weigh our circumstances and our conscience tell us that something is right and good for us, but we at the same time are experiencing fear, this is not God speaking to us- he is the encouragement that we hear, our conscience speaking through us.
So my friends, as you are weighing your circumstances of what treatment to undergo, as you are listening to the doctors' suggestions, as you read about new and improved treatments for Lyme, and as you listen to your mind and body as it speaks to you (not so nicely at times), pay close attention to your conscience, pray and let God lead you.
Did you know the phrase "Do not be afraid" appears in the Bible 108 times? God says in Isaiah 41:10 "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." Do you believe or do you have difficulty accepting this as truth? It is a choice and I choose to believe!
For those of you who suffer with Lyme as I do, I am pointing this out because I believe it is important to be courageous during time of trial.
God’s truth is that he does not communicate to us through fear, but through encouragement and He is there to strengthen and help us.” Alas, it can be easy for us to fall into the fear factor; and even feel anger towards God due to our circumstances. And that is o.k.--He can handle it--as long as your faith remains in Him. Even Job questioned God about his horrific trials. I inadvertently have an uncanny ability to question everything with a pessimistic view, and I tend to have a "what if" mentality: What if my condition doesn't get better? What if the doctors are wrong —again? What if we can't afford it? What if the treatment makes my condition worse? What if ? . . . What if ? . . .etc. So my friends, not only am I speaking to you, but to myself for I struggle with bouts of fear.
I had conversation with a friend recently regarding healthy fear versus harmful fear. How do we know when the fear is rightful? Is the fear from God warning us of danger, or is it from Satan keeping us in our present state, or is just a simple circumstance of healthy fear?
God does not speak through fear, although he does empower us with healthy fear for our safety like crossing a street or driving in heavy traffic—this is a natural healthy fear. Galatians 6:12 states “The fruit of the Spirit (God) is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such this there is not law. When we weigh our circumstances and our conscience tell us that something is right and good for us, but we at the same time are experiencing fear, this is not God speaking to us- he is the encouragement that we hear, our conscience speaking through us.
So my friends, as you are weighing your circumstances of what treatment to undergo, as you are listening to the doctors' suggestions, as you read about new and improved treatments for Lyme, and as you listen to your mind and body as it speaks to you (not so nicely at times), pay close attention to your conscience, pray and let God lead you.