How Fear Gets in the Way of Freedom
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 9:35AM
Happy Wednesday, Friends! Susie Larson here!
And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. I love to read your insights and comments as well. So leave a post, share a thought, and bless lots of people!
Now on to my topic…
Recently I experienced a flare up of some of my old Lyme symptoms. One doctor told me years ago that I no longer deal with active disease, just the residual effects of the disease. I have daily joint pain and occasional neurological flare-ups. I’ve come a long way in my healing and health since those sick years, and my struggle through that valley has left a lasting imprint on my heart.
On one hand, I took countless spoils from that battle. I have a deeper trust in God than I once had. I now understand how fragile and fleeting this life can be. I’m quicker to see things from an eternal perspective. But I also carry with me the baggage of fear. Crawling through that valley, battling sickness and the financial hardship that accompanied it while trying to care for three little boys, sent me in a tailspin of fear from time to time. Even now, with my kids grown and a full plate of ministry duties, I pick up fear when remnants from my past reappear.
Can you relate?
So during my recent flare-up of symptoms, I cried out to God, “Oh, Lord, I long for perfect and total healing so I will no longer fear sickness and disease!” And just as quickly the Lord spoke these words to my heart: What makes you think that once you’re healed completely, you won’t struggle with fear of sickness and disease? These are two separate things. I’ve equipped you to take on the fear, so slay that dragon. And entrust your health, and all of your cares to Me. I will sustain you.
Talk about a light bulb moment!
Think about how the enemy works. When he attaches fears to our concerns, he backs us into a corner where we feel helpless and powerless to do anything about our circumstance. For me, when fear rises up because my face has gone numb, I want to panic because I can’t make my symptoms go away. But when I separated my fear from my health and decided, I can do something about this fear, I took the power away from the enemy and could see my circumstance with greater clarity, and even peace.
In Luke 10:19 Jesus tells us that He has given us authority over ALL the power of the enemy. He’s given us authority. So we need to take authority. Over and over again Scripture gives us this charge: Do. Not. Fear.
Jesus wants us to cast our concerns on the Lord, for He cares for us. But He’s also equipped us for battle.
Pay attention next time you feel stirred up in fear because a current circumstance mirrors a past pain or hardship. Maybe it’s your marriage, your finances, your sense of identity and acceptance. Maybe it’s your job. Where do you tend to feel weak, vulnerable, and unsettled?
Step back, pick up your shield and sword (See Ephesians 6) and slay that dragon of fear! Then cast your cares on the Lord, for He will sustain and strengthen you. Then, walk boldly and confidently forward in faith.
Overwhelming victory is yours because you belong to Him.
~Have a blessed week!
Reader Comments (12)
Hi Susie,
I can SO relate! I struggle with a couple of chronic conditions that put me into fear. How bad will this get? Will it get worse? My heart and mind can easily become overwhelmed with fear. I have had health struggles for fifteen years and occasionally wonder what life would be like without them. I know without a doubt that I would not be as close to the Lord had my life been easy. My heart would not be as compassionate, my focus would not be as eternal, I can now say, "The joy of the Lord is my strength," and "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Those two verses have a deeper meaning. The fear does come when my symptoms flare up but I have learned to draw my comfort from Him. So, what would my life be like had I not been given these chronic conditions? I shudder to think, I am afraid I would be so self absorbed, not focused on eternity, nor would I know how to draw my strength and joy from Him like I do now.
Thank you so much for sharing about your fear. I also have a fear that only comes periodically. It is about my son. I am divorced from his father who now lives in Louisanna while I still live in Minnesota. Our son flies back and forth between our homes during school breaks to visit his dad. It is my fear that one day, his father will not put him on the plane, but keep him and even disappear and I will never see my beautiful son again. The fear usually comes when the time is coming near for when my son is to come home. He comes home this Sunday evening from being in Louisanna for the summer. I needed this message today. God loves my son even more than I do and will protect him and lead him wherever he goes. God also loves my x-husband and his new family. I entrust my son to the Lord and know He is with all of us.
Susie,
I so needed this as I leave for my first overseas trip next week! My fears due to a health problem overtake me sometimes to make me fearful and hesitant but you have given this wonderful reminder that I plan to keep in mind all next week as I travel. Your Uncommon Woman book also has that wonderful chapter on overcoming your fears that has so spoken to my heart, too. Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece!
Valerie
A hopeful post, for sure, Susie....but I have a question. If one gets freedom from fear but the sickness remains, how is that a victory? I struggle with this so much...if God is for me and wants me free from fear, why does the healing (or whatever answer to prayer) not manifest? The word says that answered prayer is sweet; it is hard to be peaceful when answers don't come.
This is exactly what I needed to hear today, as my own fears feel like they are closing in on me. Thank you for sharing the wisdom God has blessed you with, and the experience of your own difficulties. You've been there, and done battle, and come out of it blessed. You can continue to do battle, and so can I. Thank you.
Dear Christina,
What a GREAT question and I'm glad you asked it!
Here's what I've learned thus far...
I don't fully understand the Lord's ways with regards to healing. My son was miraculously, instantly healed from a serious back injury after living six months in severe pain, barely able to move. One night at youth group a young man prayed for him and he was instantly healed. He could sprint, jump, and touch his toes instantly. I still marvel at the thought of it. But with me, it's been a different story. A slow journey of walking in faith, refusing to let go of the hope and the promise of healing. Some believe that God always heals and that if you don't get healed it's because you lack faith. I just can't wrap my arms around that idea because I know plenty of godly, amazing people who died of sickness (and they did not lack faith). I don't understand God's ways but I do believe we'd see more healing if we erred on the side of faith. Read Psalm 103:1-5. As long as I have breath in my lungs I'll ask for healing. Now on a separate note I strongly believe that fear swallows up faith; fear makes our burden too heavy to carry. So when we stand up to fear and put it under our feet, then clarity comes once again. We can get the mind of the Lord on our circumstance and accept His grace to walk out His promises. I know for a fact that fear and worry only weakened me (and my immunities). Every day I proclaim, 'I will live out the number of my days in health; by His stripes, I am healed." His promises have only strengthened me. So no matter what we're dealing with, we have to separate out the fear and take it out so we can embrace faith and God's perspective for our lives. Does that help? I hope so. Bless you, dear sister!
Goodness knows I needed to be reminded not to fear! I was freaking out to my husband yesterday. "I thought God called me to Serbia, I have no money, when is he going to send the money!" Of course I know he uses circumstances to maximize our trust and satisfaction in him. Sometimes my heart just forgets. It's not the removal of the obstacle that takes away fear it's the awareness of God's goodness and power to act on our behalf. I was reading about Lazarus' resurrection last night. I was struck that Jesus purposefully allowed loss, a death, in his friends lives for the greater good of his glory and their salvation. Stunning. I had never really looked at that passage from their vantage point of God's love delayed. It looked like Jesus indifference had done them harm but of course it was an unexpected path to victory. I forget that my goal isn't really Serbia, my goal is the heart of God. That's where my satisfaction lies! Thank you for the reminder.
Christina, I struggled with this same question when my dad died of cancer. He was a faithful man of God, a pastor about to retire. He found victory in the midst of his disease. He would often hum that old hymn, "Victory in Jesus" during some of his sickest moments. It took me a long time to figure this one out, but I believe victory comes in not the healing, but in the faith and trust that we put in God. My dad was healed...it just wasn't on this side of heaven. One day...we who put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ will all be completely healed. Susie is right..it's hard to understand why some get healed and some don't. The Bible tells us that we can't know the mind of the Father, his ways are not our ways. We do know, however that he is good..all the time. And there is victory even in the darkest of days. I'm still learning..right there with you. Praying for His grace to wrap you up for whatever you are facing.
Hello Susie,
Thanks so much for your blog. I appreciate your heart for the Lord and love for the people around you. Thanks for this encouragement.
The enemy knows us well. Our fears and concerns, our worries and frets provide him with plenty of opportunity to try to render us helpless.
I have been finding that in those dark places God is more than willing to become real to me.
Christ is not just a good idea here in the dark, but if we let Him, He becomes an incredible Light and reality.
I find that in the darkest place, through my thankfulness, my trust, and my faith in Him, He makes Himself known.
When I don't have the answers, when I grope for the solution, when absolutely nothing is left, He is real. Not because He fixes things, but because He is who He says He is, absolutely enough for my every need.
Susie, thank you so much for your heart toward the Lord. It's contagious!
When I woke up yesterday morning, after having written the above comment, there was $18 in my Serbia account! It's the very first money that I've received for this trip. Before I went to bed on Wednesday night I prayed "God I need some loaves and fishes for you to even multiply, will you send me just some loaves and fishes?" And he did! I love that it was eighteen dollars, how funny, loaves and fishes indeed. It's ludicrous that Jesus should feed 5,000 people with one little boys lunch. How appropriate that he's going to send me to Serbia on $18! It could have been $20 or $50 but $18 is so priceless! Just wanted to share that with you!
Sheri Zimmerman, beautiful story of your dad! My mother in law recently passed away from cancer in our home. Her struggle lasted three months. She was a woman who struggled with worry and anxiety her whole life even though she had trusted Christ for her salvation. But when the terminal cancer was diagnosed, she was at complete rest and trust, the worry of her life was gone. Jesus shined through her like never before! It was so incredible to see. I was with her when she left us, she left with such peace to her heavenly home. I think her last three months was a amazing testimony of her faith, it deeply impacted me.
We can rest and trust God with His plan for us. We do not need to know why He heals some, why He takes some home, and why some stay but suffer. He treats all of us on an individual basis. His plans for each of His children are different so this should not come as a surprise. My daughter was completely healed from scoliosis which puzzled and bewildered the specialists. I was able to share with them that we had been praying for her. To be honest, I was praying she wouldn't need a brace or surgery, but God chose to completely heal her. The doctors were exclaiming in the hallway as they were looking at her scans, "the mom said that they prayed! I have never seen this before!" So praise God, He was glorified through this. But for myself, I suffer some chronic things that are no fun-to put it lightly. I pray for healing but He has chosen to give me His grace. I still pray for healing but know that if I am not, He will continue to pour His grace through me.
Needed this today, Susie. Thank you.