It is Scary to Be Us

Have you ever considered it scary to be chronically ill? Lisa shares what to do with those fears.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3)

I eagerly look forward to the return of Jesus! I enjoy reading about prophesy and how current events are one of the many layers in our history as we grow closer to the last days described in the Bible. I don’t know if Jesus will return in a thousand years or less than a hundred, but I do believe the day is drawing near.

As my pastor describes, when a woman is in labor, the closer she gets to delivery, the more intense the contractions are and the closer they come together. So it in with Jesus’ return. As it grows closer, the pain and suffering, as well as changing laws and political events are happening faster and more intensely. Sadly, I believe there will be much more suffering before He arrives.

Our illness can take over our worries and become our entire world. I grow frustrated as I limp across the room or drop a million things. I write this just after going to Walmart and leaving before parking.

The store is under construction, the lot was full and busy, and I just couldn’t get myself to park in a handicapped spot today. They were in short supply and there were too many people around to offer their opinion on my need for it that parking spot.

And yet, have you noticed the real disarray in this world? The Christians being put to death for their beliefs. The mothers who have children nine years old sent off to war. The loss of rights and the hostility toward Christians here in the USA. The amount of friends I see who are believers and who are suffering excruciating pain.

I was watching this Beth Moore video (see below) recently and she summed it up well. “It’s scary to be us.”

It is scary. Our world is a scary place. And those of us who are chronically ill have no shortage of things we could fear, from infections to medical errors to so much more.

And that is why Jesus came.

Come to Me all who are weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28) . . . Do not worry about your life (Matthew 6:25) . . . Make up your mind not to worry (Luke 21:14). . . They will have no fear of bad news (Psalm 112:7) . . . When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (Psalm 56:3) . . . Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters* all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. (1 Peter 5:9b NLT) . . . For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all he does. . . the earth is full of His unfailing love. (Psalm 33:4-5)

I love that last scripture. “The earth is full of His unfailing love.” Yes, our earth has sin running rampant, but it also is full of His unfailing love!

Prayer: Lord, this world is a scary place to live, but thankfully You–who lives in my heart–is my strength and joy. The world may crash around me and sadness will splash into my life, but Your presence will help me remember I have nothing to fear. Amen.

About the author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and she lives in San Diego with her husband and son. She is gradually learning how to balance motherhood, family, illness, and ministry, but she still knows it will be a lifetime lesson. You can see the books she has written, including, Why Can’t I Make People Understand? at the Rest Ministries shop.

How do the events of the world, the fears you feel when you watch the news, impact your life? Are you able to be aware of it and apply it to God’s promise that He will overcome the world, or does it effect you too much emotionally and you try to avoid it?

Beth Moore shares how it is scary to be us. . . And yet, we have God, so we have no place for fear! Lisa