Recently I experienced a flare up of my old Lyme symptoms. One doctor told me years ago that I no longer deal with active disease, just the residual effects of the disease. I have daily joint pain and occasional neurological flare-ups. I’ve come a long way in my healing and health since those sick years, and my struggle through that valley has left a lasting imprint on my heart.
On one hand, I took countless spoils from that battle. My trust in God has deepened over time. I now understand how fragile and fleeting this life can be. I’m quicker to see things from an eternal perspective.
However, I also carry with me the baggage of fear.
Crawling through that valley — battling sickness and the financial hardship that accompanied it, all while trying to care for three little boys — sent me in a tailspin of fear. Even now, with my kids grown and a full plate of ministry duties, I pick up fear when remnants from my past reappear.
Can you relate?
So during my recent flare-up of symptoms, I cried out to God, “Oh, Lord, I long for perfect and total healing so I will no longer fear sickness and disease!” And just as quickly the Lord spoke these words to my heart:
What makes you think that once you’re healed completely, you won’t struggle with fear of sickness and disease? These are two separate things. I’ve equipped you to take on the fear, so slay that dragon. And entrust your health, and all of your cares to Me. I will sustain you.
Talk about a light bulb moment!
Think about how the enemy works. When he attaches fears to our concerns, he backs us into a corner until we feel helpless and powerless to do anything about our circumstance.
For me, when fear rises up because my face has gone numb, I want to panic because I can’t make my symptoms go away. But when I separate my fear from my health and decide I can do something about this fear, I take the power away from the enemy and begin to see my circumstance with greater clarity, even peace.
In Luke 10:19 Jesus tells us that He has given us authority over ALL the power of the enemy. He’s given us authority. So we need to take authority.
Jesus wants us to entrust our concerns to Him, for He cares for us.
But He’s also equipped us for battle. Over and over Scripture gives us this charge: Do. Not. Fear.
Pay attention next time you feel stirred up in fear because a current circumstance mirrors a past pain or hardship. Maybe it’s your marriage, your finances, your sense of identity and acceptance. Maybe it’s your job. Where do you tend to feel weak, vulnerable, and unsettled? Step back, pick up your shield and sword {See Ephesians 6} and slay that dragon of fear!
Cast your cares on the Lord, for He will sustain and strengthen you.
Then, simply do the next thing He tells you to. He’ll get you where you need to go. Just walk boldly and confidently forward in faith.
Overwhelming victory is yours because you belong to Him.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” {2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV}
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Related: His perfect love casts out all fear. Savor the stillness in the quiet with a beautiful cup of hot tea that reminds us: You’re So Loved
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Prayers for you in dealing with your Lyme symptoms, and for sharing this. It is just what I needed today. I am relocating to another state for a new job, and while it is exciting sometimes the fear is overwhelming. Thank you for this reminder that I face each day wearing the full armor of God against those fears. Blessings to you.
Blessings to you as well, Sheryl! Congrats on your new job. Even exciting change stirs up its own fears, no? May Jesus give you courage to put fear under your feet and take the land He’s offered you. Blessings to you, dear sister!
Wow I needed this today. I too have Lyme flare ups and a week immunity so I get tired of being sick and tired. So important to remember to take every thought captive so our sound mind can function without fear. Thank you for sharing your story.
Dear Julie, bless your heart! Ugh! I know the feeling. May God restore you to full health and give you eyes to see all He’s doing in your midst. Blessings, dear one!
Great post. I am convinced that fear is at the root of many of the choices we make…and the ones we don’t. Thank you for your insights.
Marty, I couldn’t agree more! When I think of self-sabotaging choices I made in my earlier years, I cringe. God is so faithful to us in spite of us sometimes, you know? I’ve come a long way regarding my fears, but I still have more land to recover in that regard. Thanks for your note. Bless you!
Just the words I needed since I’ve been having a lot of issues with memory and poor brain function. Having an MRI of the brain today. The fear and anxiety over possible results likes to
creep in and take over. I can’t change what the scan may find. I can only trust in the Lord. Thanks for giving me these verses.
Kat, coming alongside you in prayer today. May the Lord sustain you and fill you with His courage and peace as you move into this time of scans and tests.
Thanks for the prayers and support.
Dear Kat,
I echo Julie’s words! I know that unsettling, unnerving feeling prior to a test (and afterwards for that matter). May the peace that passes all understanding be YOURS in Christ Jesus! And, may God heal and restore you fully. Blessings to you, honey!
Thanks for the support and prayers and peace.
Kat,
Prayers that the MRI will show doctors what they need to help heal your body! May God bring peace and contentment to your life! Prayers for a good outcome!
Blessings 🙂
Yes Susie I can relate! And, like you, I have heard God’s voice telling me to be of good courage because His grace will be sufficient for me. I am still walking through the valley battling late stage Lyme disease. For years it went undiagnosed and now it is more difficult to treat. But God says He will never leave me or forsake me and I’m taking Him at His word! I lead a small group from my church and we recently completed your study, Your Beautiful Purpose together. I found it very encouraging as I walked through the valley of the unknown – I never know what tomorrow will bring? God has never left my side – He is steadfast in His love and faithfulness to those who are committed to Him. The depth of His love knows no end as I discover anew daily. My circumstances lie, but God’s word is truth and He is by my side in these valleys comforting and teaching me to trust Him in all things. How grateful I am for His love.
Dear Nancy,
God bless you!
How many times I’ve declared God’s strength amidst my weakness. And as scripture says, even when we’re weak, we’re strong because we’re in Him! May you and I both become strong in battle and mighty in faith. Bless you, dear sister!
Wonderful post. Great to see you sharing on in.courage. Shields up!
Dear Marjie,
Thanks so much! And amen!
Thank you Susie for being transparent will keep you in my prayers as well!!! You have been such an encouragment in my life. This post helps to me place all of my fears upon him because he knows and the good thing is he knows… I just ask God what are my fears? I believe it is embracing my true identity. Don”t want to suppress who I am. I been wanting to move to California to go after my dreams. I been struggling for 7years in and out of jobs and can”t seen to find a fit for me. I”ve always wanted to be an Actress every since I was 10… Life has happen and It was buried!!! Now I’m I. Real estate school I guess to suppress my true self…. One area in my life I’m struggling with. Again Thank you !!!!I
Dear Dominique,
Thanks for your sweet note. I just read a quote from Dr. Wiersbe this morning. He wrote: “No one, no matter how wealthy, gifted, or talented, can live two days at a time.” I know for me, during so many of those life transitions and health challenges, I was so tempted to borrow tomorrow’s trouble on today’s strength. It took such discipline of thought and heart to keep myself in the present moment where God’s grace was available to me. May Jesus Himself give you an extra measure of grace and peace as you walk forward in faith, one step at a time. Blessings to you, dear sister!
Thank you for this post Susie…I feel it was meant for me as I have been struggling with fear in regard to a persistent medical problem. Anxiety can be overwhelming at times and leads to panic. I must separate the fear from the health problem and take authority over the enemy. This has been an inspiration for me……thank you so much!
Dear Amy,
So grateful you found encouragement here today! You know? There’s nothing quite like health struggles to stir up one’s fear. I think it’s because we can’t get away from ourselves when we’re sick, and we feel so at the mercy of a particular disease. I pray, right in the midst of your circumstances, that you find a fresh new intimacy with Jesus. I pray His Word comes alive to you in ways it never has before. I pray you glean new insights from spending time with Him! And, I pray that God restores you fully. Wouldn’t it be something in the days ahead of more and more people experienced restoration in their health? Lord, may it be! 🙂 God bless you, dear sister!
Thanks Susie for such a heartfelt message. I will be praying for you too.
Once again, Susie, your words echo the cry of my heart. My body succumbs to fibromyaliga, and now both feet with morton’s neuroma. Pain sometimes gets me down. My fear is that I am somehow grieving our Lords heart in not being healed by now. Of course I know this is a lie, but it sometimes blocks the truth.
My prayers go up for you. You have blessed me with your words more than I can say.
I too am suffering with Morton’s Neuroma in my left foot, I had one thin the right foot that was surgically removed 2 years ago – that one is finally at a better state than it was prior to surgery. As for the one in the left foot I have had hands laid on me 3 times and multiple prayers but the MN remains! This has gone on for 4 years and over the past month the pain has increased. It makes me fearful even though I speak to the painful.condition I still get panicky that it will get worse. I am afraid of the surgery as it is risky and NOT guaranteed Please pray!!
Sweet Sister, speak to the fear. You’ve already had one surgery for this and it’s better. There’s no reason the other foot wouldn’t turn out right also. Our Lord will meet us where we are at and not judge us for not receiving healing by the laying on of hands. I believe that’s an attack of the enemy to undermine our faith.
Since I’ve leaned this, I have surgery scheduled and trusting the Lord for a good outcome.
I will pray for you, Cheryl
Oh, my…God definitely directed me to this today. Because of some things going on in our family, recent news and other things in life, I have had such a spirit of fear the past couple weeks. I lay awake at night and can’t sleep. I read through my prayer journal until my eyes cross and finally get some sleep when the sun starts lighting the sky. The darkness sends my thoughts into overdrive and seizes my heart with anxiety.
This blessed me today and I will cling to it, along with God’s promises. Thank you for taking time to share these words.
May God bless you and lift you up through your battle with Lyme. My cousins also battle that. Prayers!!
Dear Autumn,
Thank you for your note! i love how God connects His people at the just the right time. May God Himself lift you up and make you strong. May He give you a strong sense of His great love and care for you. He will never, no never forsake you! One faith-step at a time. Bless you, dear sister!
Please please pray for my marriage. After 24 years of marriage and 3 kids, my husband doesn’t want to be married to me anymore. The fear and pain consume me. I give it all to God ,but the enemy knows my weaknesses. Please pray that I am released from the bondage and pain coming from the enemy. And please pray that my family is healed…..
Dear Jeaneen, I’m so sorry! Will definitely pray for you and for your hubby right this minute. May God move in this situation in way that only He can. He can raise anything and anybody up out of the ashes. Don’t give up hope. Keep praying! And keep doing the next thing Jesus tells you to do. Bless you, honey!
Thank you for these verses.
Thanks for reading, Barbara!
Blessings to you!
Such powerful words Susie! I need a daily reminder! 🙂 So loved your book and DVD “Your Beautiful Purpose”. We used it for our women’s small group bible study several weeks ago, and I learned so much through it.
I’m praying for your healing, (because that’s what I do). 🙂
Blessings to you!
Dear Susan,
I don’t even know what to say. Thank you SO much for praying for me. And I’m so grateful God met you through the Purpose book study. Thank you for being a faithful fellow traveler. 🙂 We’re in this together. Blessings to you!
Thank you for sharing your story and words of encouragement. I, too, have fought fear throughout my life. Last year God revealed to me that I was living my life from fear – not in faith. From that point on, I took a stand (Ephesians 6) against fear and have experienced victory. When fear threatens me, I turn from it and focus on God. He has brought me too far to give up gained ground. Sometimes I even find myself literally planting my feet with a stomp on the ground. This girl is not going back to fear based living! Thanks for helping me in my faith journey. I am blessed by your gifts.
Thank you for sharing your story and words of encouragement. I, too, have fought the battle with fear. Last year, God revealed to me that I was living my life from fear. All of my decisions, responses, and actions were fear based. By the grace of God, I chose to live my life in faith. When the enemy comes in with his tactics of fear I stand with my feet planted firmly in the field of faith. The difference in my life is amazing! Now when fear threatens to undo me, I stomp my feet and take a stand against it. He has brought me too far to give up gained ground. Thank you, Susie, for sharing your life and faith. God has used you to speak mightily in my life. May he continue to bless you on your journey.
That’s so good Anne! I too am learning to stomp my feet on fear and what a difference it makes! You are a might woman in God! 🙂 Bless you, dear sister!
Thank you for sharing this. It is a very specific answer to prayer. I too have battled Lymes Disease and have been experiencing fear due to a flare up. I was praying for a breakthrough right before I read this. Thank you for allowing God to use your trials to help comfort others. Not only was it an article about overcoming fear, but the specific fear I have been dealing with. God is so good and this was a beautiful reminder of how He cares about the little and the big details of our lives.
Dear Kim,
So nice to meet you. Wow, I pray God heals and restores you beyond your wildest dreams. What a wretched battle this Lyme disease is, no? And fear seems a constant companion with a disease that can be so unpredictable. But I pray that God’s peace surrounds you and His grace empowers you in the days ahead. May you and I both embrace the strength and courage God supplies! Bless you!
Susie,
Prayers for healing of symptoms! May God bring a sense of peace and contentment to your life!!
This is what I need now! I’ve been fearing/dreading work for a while now. Last year felt like the tip of iceberg & ship going down. I dealt with moving aging dad to assisted living, his multiple medical issues & hospitalizations, my job stress & hubby’s job stresses. Thankfully dad is doing much better now!! Hubby and I are still dealing with job stresses and what to do. We need wisdom & not fear!
Blessings 🙂
Heavenly Father thank You for your faithfulness and goodness. God You promised to provide for our every need according to Your glorious riches in Christ Jesus. I commit each prayer request for healing restoration deliverance rebuilding and redemption. Father we need your help! In Jesus Name, Amen.
Please pray for my friendship with Mark. I have been asking God to restore our friendship.
Thank you!
Dear Joanne,
May God grant you the deepest desires of your heart and may He do a transforming work in and thorough you! Blessings to you!
Just what I needed today. Also for a very dear friend ~ The enemy loves to turn us away from our purpose by reminding us of our past whether physical or mental.
Although I am not fully recovered from autoimmune disorders, I am so much better through the grace of God and not giving up.
I asked God to take me since I would never get well. I felt the Holy Spirit ask me “What if you live?” Do you want too live in your condition? I did my part by eating better and losing over 50 lbs. Regardless, fear does try to creep in. We have to remember that God is always with us and will never abandon us.
Dealt with fear and axiety for 3 years now. It’s exhausting!! God’s said this season is ending but I’m not seeing it…just waiting…
It is very exhausting…don’t give up…our BREAKTHROUGH IS COMING!!! ” Walk by faith not by sight”…I’ll pray for you! Blessings
Wow!! I was diagnosed with Chronic Lyme almost a year ago and I’m taking care of three little girls! You can’t imagine what this has done for me !!! Thank you so much!
Thank you for this…it was exactly what I needed. I struggle daily with anxiety and fears! I will slay the Dragon!! Blessings to you!!!
I suffered with an unknown, debilitating illness for 5 years. I still have no diagnosis and have learned to manage my symptoms through diet and exercise. The pastor’s wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a mastectomy, chemo, reconstructive surgery and I was still suffering. I actually told her I was jealous of her, because she had answers and a treatment plan. I was still going from specialist to specialist, draining our finances and still hurting. My husband is now a pastor, we have our own church and I have to say that without the prayers and support of both churches, I think I would have given up. Thank you for this encouragement. When I talk about my illness I can share your wisdom too. Thank you for blessing us, I share your posts to our church page morning and night. God Bless you and keep healing and strengthening us all!
No wonder your daily blessings are so inspiring and residual. I am amazed daily at them because my spirit bears witness on such a profound level. And now I understand why. That battle brought you to where you are today. I know because I have had a very similar battle for over 30 years…. One that I refer to as a black hole I could not escape from. A chronic illness (Epstein Barr) that was misdiagnosed for years and subsequently resulted in wrong and harmful medications prescribed. I became homebound and full of panic for years. But God, in His infinite mercy has brought me a mighty long way. Like you, my symptoms have gradually gotten better, but I still must battle the fear when they do show their ugly head. And only God has gotten me through it… Years of prayer and meditation on His Word, worship and praise. While I still battle on, I would not exchange it all for anything, and I rejoice in my trials and tribulations, for they are what have driven me to seek His face with all of my heart, mind and soul. And oh what revelations I have been given because of this journey, what wisdom He has imparted so that I may help others. I often share with my daughter, who is now experiencing some of the same afflictions, that I wonder where I would be if I had not become ill so many years ago. While I know Jesus heals, I also know it is different for each one of us. One receives an instant miracle while another experiences a gradual healing, each one tailored to fit perfectly according to the great love He has for us that brings us into the mature man. Glory! Thank You Jesus!
I knew how you feel.I have Lupus,Sjogren’s,Hashimoto’s,I had a knee replacement 5 months ago.So my lupus gets bad and then I just think not again.But I have to be stronger in leaning on the Lord.Your blessings sure help me.I look so forward to them.Fell better.Thanks
This devotional popped up on Facebook today and a friend sent it to me. It was the perfect message for me right now. I have Lyme a Disease and so fearful my body won’t “function” the way I need it to in three weeks for my son’s wedding. Thank you for the sweet reminder of how BIG our God is. I will carry this devotional with me every day now as a reminder.
This summer I had a hip replacement in May and a revision in June after a fall/fracture. I have had a lot of time to think about God’s faithfulness and your daily prayers/blessings have drawn me closer into His presence, the one who is all sufficient. My employer decided not to hold my job (I’m 61 years old) and I am trusting God for direction. Your post about fear came at the right moment. Calls for payment on medical bills took my eyes off Jesus and onto the circumstances. Thank you for reposting these encouraging words.