Fight Fear with Hope (Daily Refresh, 2-05-26)

It seems there’s always something to worry about: natural disasters, current (and potential) wars, shaky finances, relational brokenness, unmet expectations, political/cultural/racial divisions, senseless violence, our kids, our jobs, our health, and more—much more. But many of the things we fear are largely out of our control.

We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can choose our response.

You can constantly be worried, negative, anxious, fearful, critical, and bitter. Or, you can be known for seeing the good in people, choosing joy, offering encouragement, looking for God’s fingerprints, and always finding something to be grateful for. In either case, the cycle feeds itself. 

Like hummingbirds are attracted to sweet things while vultures scour the earth for dead things, we will always find what we are looking for. Why? Because darkness and light both exist. Good and evil are everyday realities. And we must decide who we’ll trust, and how we’ll spend our lives. 

There are plenty of scary things happening in the world, but—because of Jesus—there is always good.

Even on our darkest days, Jesus is the light of the world. He’s already carrying the weight of the world on His shoulders, which means we don’t have to. He has already made a way where there was no way, which means we can follow the path He has blazed. The Holy Spirit is already compelling us and leading us and teaching us and comforting us, which means we’re not alone.

The hope we have in Christ isn’t just wishful thinking or positive vibes. It’s hope that’s based on truth—on facts and faith.

So what can we do? The Bible says:

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We can fight anxiousness with hope.
We can ward off worry with truth-filled encouragement.
We can resist fear by offering life-giving words.
We can refuse to settle for living scared.
We can expose the darkness to light.

So the next time you feel anxiety and fear weighing down your heart, ask God for help and encouragement. Remember, He is closer than a prayer away.

My Thoughts

As usual, the devotional today was just what I needed. Lots of anxiety about various issues have been pressing in, but I have chosen to look at God while diving into His Word for the comfort and strength that I need.

I went to my arthritis doctor yesterday for a bone density test and a consultation with the doctor afterwards. The news he shared with me was bad, but since I know Who made me and the eternity that awaits me, I am choosing not to be discouraged. He told me that I cannot ever lift over five pounds because my spinal column can collapse. And my hip has a high probability that it will fracture if I fall. And my wrist won’t just fracture, but the bones there are so thin that they will shatter. Then, he told me that there are no medications he knows of to help my bones because of my single kidney. So, he wants me to see my endocrinologist to see if she has any suggestions.

I really, really like and trust my endocrinologist. She takes all the time she needs to be with me and generally assures me that she will research my problems until she has an answer. I don’t know that she will have an answer for me, but I do know that her soft-spoken words help me stay calm. She doesn’t falsely claim that all will be okay; rather, she says she will do all she can to find an answer.

Meanwhile, when I spoke to my family about the situation, they were first upset for me and then I told them that God is writing the end of my story. Not the doctors. So, whether I pass away from kidney failure, another stroke or fractured bones that won’t heal, or even something else, God will be with me. He has never left me and this new scan did not catch Him by surprise, nor is He in heaven wringing His hands over the results. God is doing what God does every day, taking care of me and you and His world. I choose to live a life of hope and for me, that means continuing to live with God first, family second and friends next. Am I rejoicing over the prognosis? No, but neither am I sleepless and anxious. I know who is in control, and it’s not me or the doctors. God is and was and always will be in control of what happens to me; thus, I walk into a certain future because it is one God planned for me. And all He does is good! 🙂