What if the experts say it may happen again? What if this week’s violence leads to further difficulty? We tend to fear the unknown, but we also struggle with what we know.
Our family thanks God for the last report the doctor gave. So many of you prayed for such news. ‘Your cancer is in complete remission’ brought a great joy. The next words did not surprise us, because we have learned about this particular disease. The doctor said, ‘This cancer always comes back.’ But his last comment, I must confess, produced fear that is difficult to shake. ‘When it does come back, it will be a nightmare.’ I feel like I’ve already been through a nightmare – I don’t want another.
God has been teaching me to live one day at a time. I am so thankful to be a ‘somewhat’ normal husband, father, and teacher again. I give thanks for each new day. “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!”
But what do we do when fear comes against us? Though it almost sounds too simple, ‘Jesus’ is the best answer anyone can give. He was “made like His brothers in every way” and He “suffered when He was tempted.” He was “tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.” Did fear not come against our Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane? With great emotion, He said to His friends, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” He may have struggled with the unknown, but Jesus also dreaded what He knew. As we look to Him, we can see the path to take.
Though it involved sweat and blood and tears, Jesus took all His burdens to His Father. He was honest about His own feelings and His own desire. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me.” Jesus reminded His Father of His power. “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you.” Every time, though, Jesus closed His prayer in humble obedience. “Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
We know God did not remove the cup from His Son, but He did give Him what He needed to complete His life on earth. Has anyone handled trial with a greater calm? Has anyone faced death with such courage? Has anyone, in the midst of tremendous suffering, treated his enemies with more love and forgiveness?
Let us follow Jesus when fear comes against us. “Cast all your cares on the Lord, for He cares for you.” No matter how things look, we know He loves us. Let us pray honestly before His throne. We can tell the Father what we feel and what we desire. Sometimes the cup may pass; sometimes it will not. We too, in humble obedience, should pray, ‘Not my will, but Yours be done.’ The blessing we can expect from above is the peace, the strength, and the courage to face any nightmare.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7