It was a difficult week for our family. Each day dropped me to my knees in prayer. It seemed every time the phone rang there was more bad news. Scripture memorized years ago became my declaration. I have no fear of bad news. My heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
But the truth was…I was afraid. I was stunned and shaken over what our family was facing. The Bible reminded me it was okay to feel afraid, but what I did with that fear was important. When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
I had to face the facts, admitting I was filled with fearful uncertainty. How one week could hold so many concerns for our family was mind boggling. With God’s help, I was determined to not waver in unbelief. Did I not believe God was still in control…that nothing could touch us without His permission…that we lived, moved and had our being IN Him! But the circumstances were shaking me to the core.
Here’s a synopsis of why fear came knocking at my door.
On Tuesday my son was scheduled for an MRI because of some unusual spikes on an EEG.
On Wednesday his wife endured a grueling biopsy of her thyroid.
On Thursday their son was diagnosed with 20/60 vision in his left eye.
On Friday their dog was hit by a car and died in surgery.
On Saturday their youngest daughter spiked a fever and was put on medication for croup. To top it off, the oldest responded with a horrible migraine headache.
Then 90-year old Great Grandma fell down and broke her arm.
Lord, where do we turn when every day holds such unbelievable circumstances? Could my response possibly include worship, as did Job’s?
How do the godly respond when every day brings deeper waters? There was only one answer for us. We gathered to pray. Both families united by marriage joined hands and hearts, anointing our loved ones with oil and with our tears. We reached out to God on behalf of our children and grandchildren. We’d had enough already, and we knew there was power in our prayers.
We had to fight this battle for our family by making some intentional decisions. Try these suggestions in the face of your own trials:
* Declare the Word...No word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.
* Ask for prayer...Pray for each other so you may be healed.
* Anticipate His Goodness...Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
* Magnify the character of God, not the circumstances…I know the Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness.
* Keep your eyes on Jesus…The eyes of all look to you; you open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
* Remember past victories...Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all His benefits.
* Keep praising when you don’t feel like it...As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against their enemies.
Every day brought answers to prayer, so tomorrow’s petitions were automatically preceded with thanksgiving. We praised God for a normal MRI; we thanked Him for a benign biopsy; we were grateful for doctors and tests…and medication and procedures…and patch therapy and glasses..and long-term nursing care…for comfort in grief and for the joy of a new puppy. We sang the praises of God into battle. And we continue to sing His praises coming out. We are tremendously grateful for good reports and the wise solutions God has given to man for each of these conditions. There is plunder from the battle we’ve been through…treasures in darkness…wisdom more precious than rubies.
That’s why we keep singing, The Lord is good and his steadfast love endures forever. His faithfulness continues through all generation. His mercies are new every morning and His grace is sufficient for every need.
And through it all I’ve found more reasons to trust when fear comes knocking.