For several weeks our family had been praying for dad’s health. We were waiting for the results of his biopsy, and I was praying for a good outcome. Yet inside, I faced the element of fear. What if the news was not good? What if he was diagnosed with cancer?
Fear can make its way into our lives in different forms. Dr. Norman Vicente Peale wrote, “Fear of what might happen is to live with the perpetual worry that some axe is going to fall resulting in a very unhappy state of mind.”
In Scripture the exhortation “do not be afraid or fear not” appears over and over again. We read countless stories about men and women whom God helped to overcome their fears.
C. S. Lewis defined faith as, “The art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.” It was the changing mood that constantly challenged my prayer as I waited for the results. One moment I was optimistic and the other I worried about what might happen. But I kept praying through my fears.
I accompanied my parents to the doctor’s appointment for the results. While my dad and I waited for the doctor to come into the room I prayed, refusing to let fear get the best of me or my prayer. The doctor came into the office, read the report on the computer and said to my dad, “You don’t have cancer.”
My dad’s face lit up; his body relaxed. I took a deep breath and exhaled, “Thank you Lord.” The words of Psalm 34:4 became personal, “I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears.”
Praying through my fears deepens my faith and is teaching me how to trust that no matter what happens God is with me. Eleanor Roosevelt said it well, “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you look fear in the face.”
Lord, help me to keep my eyes on You today and not on my fears.
Have you prayed through your fears? Tell us your story and check out these prayers from the Psalmists below:
