Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. 6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. 7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. 8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.
9 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. Psalm 91:5-10
My eyes popped open. Fear gripped my heart. I leapt up from the hospital floor, checking on my daughter lying in the bed. The respiratory therapist stood watching over her, as he had all night.
“What’s her number now?” I asked, praying it was inching higher. The reason he was there, was her ten-year-old body was so acidotic, she was at risk of needing a ventilator to breathe.
She was in DKA- Diabetic ketoacidosis. Until this life flight, we had no idea she had Type I diabetes.
I was terrified we would lose her. In fact, we almost had.
For years, I lived and acted on the belief, that God loved my children more than I. My friends knew that was my constant refrain.
And yet, nothing scared me more than one of my daughters in danger.
Assured she was indeed inching toward safer levels, I glanced at the clock. Only 4 am, but I knew I wouldn’t sleep now. I grabbed my Bible and slipped out to a quiet place to turn to a well-worn passage, a favorite passage: Psalm 91.
This passage is effectively saying, no matter what is happening around you, you do not need to be afraid. I needed to read those words through the blur of my exhausted tears.
Obviously God expects us to do what we can. If you’re in a burning building, you must exit.
If you are in a war zone, you must protect yourself, and get to safety, praying all the way. Even after you have done all you can, the war may be raging around your refuge.
That is when you rely on the arsenal of God’s promises.
So, exactly how, can you fight fear with those promises?
Being highly concerned about something can propel you to drop all things and address the issue. And sometimes, that is exactly what’s needed!
When my daughter was diagnosed with DKA, learning how to manage a chronic disease took precedence over every other thing in my life. Although I was a writer, I momentarily stopped freelancing. Although I was a church member, I stopped volunteering. Although I was a runner, I stopped training.
I stopped everything to address the diabetes.
But how does one address fear?
1. Read Scripture
2. Recall Scripture.
3. Implement Scripture.
I needed to identify my power verse, or verses. These are all God’s word, there for my (and your!) conviction and encouragement.
When I felt absolutely awful, especially a few days after bringing her home, terrified of her blood sugar dropping perilously in the middle of the night, I would recite Philippians 4:8.8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
That verse, and the promises of Psalm 91 together carried me through the sleeplessness nights, the heart-wrenching moments of her tears, and the fear I would miscalculate her insulin, potentially harming her more.
Even though the disease is chronic, today at twelve-years-old, she is thriving. She and I have learned so much about her personal blood sugar management.
And, God is still on His throne.
In overwhelming moments when I felt my faith might waver, I prayed like the man in Mark 9:24. “I do believe You can change my outlook, my circumstances, Lord, help me to keep believing!”
We are not meant to bear our burdens alone. When we rely on God, He really will supply all our needs.
His grace is sufficient.
Even, in the face of fear.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for Your promises and Your constant care. Thank You that You indeed are in control- even when circumstances feel out of control. You are on Your throne! In Jesus’ name, Amen.