“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13 NIV)
Have you ever been afraid of something? Fear can paralyze you.
It can make you feel downcast and alone. What are you afraid of?
There was one time when I was very afraid. In 2000 my husband was in the hospital with a complication caused by a gallstone. The surgeon had to go into his duct and get a gallstone and since his duct was so much smaller than most people’s it closed up due to the irritation. I was terrified that I would lose my husband because he turned orange and lost 20 pounds during his 17 day stay. He didn’t eat during that whole time and he was so very sick. I wasn’t feeling well either and had gotten a very bad cold so I hadn’t slept much and was overcome with despair from him being so ill. Fatigue and worry can suck the life out of you. I remember crying to God to help him recover. God did answer my prayers and my husband gradually came back to his old self. But it took a whole month. Fear almost got the best of me, but I placed Rick in God’s hands and trusted Him to take care of him.
Don’t let fear get the best of you. Whatever you are afraid of lay it at God’s feet and believe that He can handle anything. God loves you and wants you to know that He is with you during your storms in life. Remember this verse: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid” (Hebrews 13:6 NIV). When the apostles were in the boat in a very bad storm, Jesus walked to them on the water saying, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Matthew 8:27 NIV). Imagine Him walking to you in the middle of your huge storm holding out His hand and saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am with you. I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Dear Lord,
Help me during the storms of life to believe that you are with me. Help me not to fear, but to remain faithful knowing that your love for me will never end.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
