I grabbed the phone when I recognized the area code. Our friends were calling from across the country. After a recent visit with us, Lon and Trish had returned home and received the shocking news Lon had cancer in both lungs. This friend is like a brother to my husband. They were born on the same day in the same hospital, played baseball together, and were college roommates.
The doctors were wrong. He didn’t have double lung cancer. In this case, double pneumonia and pleurisy were something to celebrate!
Hours later another call sunk my heart. This time the call came from a dear friend who’s served alongside me in ministry for many years. Susie contacts me each week to know how to pray for my work. And when she calls to pray, she doesn’t talk about praying, she prays.
A scan showed tumors on her vital organs. It looked like cancer had returned with a vengeance—only months after ending her chemo. Her faith buoyed me, as it always does, but my spirit felt crushed.
Further tests confirmed our worst fears. The cancer had spread to several organs. She started chemo within a week.
Perhaps you too are facing a foe that scares you, or you’ve received crushing news. Your natural response is fear.
Someone described FEAR as:
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
The truth sets us free from fear. Paul said we struggle not against flesh and blood (Ephes. 6:12). All battles, whether physical, emotional, financial, or relational, include a spiritual aspect. It is as if the enemy drops bombs in one ear that explode in fear, doubt, and discouragement. But the Lord delivers the balm of truth in the other ear to restore our souls. Which will we believe?
Of course we are human, but we don’t fight like humans. The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy…arguments…that oppose the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5 GW).
Maybe you can relate to the bombs and balms I felt this week.
Fear bomb: My petite friend isn’t strong enough to start chemo again.
Faith balm: God equips us for our battles.
You armed me with strength for battle. You made my opponents bow at my feet” (Ps. 18: 39 GW).
“When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10 NASB).
Fear bomb: How can we fight so many masses?
Faith balm: The strength of our foe doesn’t hinder His might.
O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde”(2 Chron. 14:11 NLT).
Fear bomb: The doctor’s report isn’t good.
Faith balm: We can’t see what God is doing.
We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7 NIV).
Gwen, my college roommate and a cancer survivor, said, “I never ask my doctor for a prognosis. That just puts them in a corner. And no doctor knows God’s plan for me.” This woman of faith feels great and continues to enjoy life many years after going through both colon and lung cancer.
Fear Not: God Has Gone Before Us
We didn’t know a cancelation would open a spot for Susie to begin treatment Thursday. But God knew. At 5 a.m. I awakened with a prayer running through my mind asking Jesus to move the cancer out of my friend’s body and to bury it in the bottom of the ocean.
Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matt. 17:20 NIV).
How tender of God to give us a Scripture to bolster our hope and faith before her treatment that day.
When doubts blast, God comforts.
Big battles tax our strength and test our faith. But Jesus stands ready to help.
The father instantly cried out, ‘I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!’” (Mark 9:24 NLT).
No one knows what tomorrow holds. But we know the One who holds tomorrow. And nothing can touch us without first passing through the filter of His love (Ps. 139:5).
Those who know Jesus don’t have to fear cancer or death because He—
- Is greater than any enemy (Deut. 33:27).
- Is the resurrection and the life (Jn. 11:25).
- Will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).
The Power of Prayer
My friend Gwen went through radiation for a new cancer this March. She and Susie use cancer as a platform to proclaim Jesus (Rev. 12:11). Their doctors and friends find strength in their presence. Please pray for our exceptional friends Lon, Gwen, and Susie and their families.
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up” (James 5:15 NIV). #healing, #prayer Click To TweetAnd the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up” (James 5:15 NIV).
What faith balms help you conquer fear? If you too need prayer, please add that to the comments too.
Blessings,
Resources
The 3 R’s You Need to Remove Fear
God’s Hidden Purpose: In this podcast Pastor Jim Cymbala speaks about how God can use our difficult and challenging situations to encourage others to trust the Lord.
Photo by Ray Hennessy on Unsplash
Sometimes I link with these great sites:
#Kelly Balarie & Friends, #Recharge Wednesday, #TuneinThursaday, #HeartEncouragment #Dance with Jesus, #FreshMarketFriday, #Grace&Truth, #Faith ‘n Friends
How blessed am I that we can pick up our friendship and love for one another in just minutes with an over due phone call! God has been so good to me to put you back in my path! Our age has bought me a peace for which I am so very grateful! I try not to complain about any task before me because that very thing may be the reason why God has healed me from seven (7) different cancers! No hair, don’t care, God has written a beautiful script for my happy life and I adore his sense of humor.
Gwen, I adore you and your joy is contagious. Did you realize you made a rhyme. Maybe you can use it in you hole in one!
Good morning Debbie,
Today’s blog offers great encouragement>
Many thanks,
Sara
Thank you, Sara. God’s word really does soothe us in times of trouble.
We are all facing difficulties and fearful situations in different areas but the answer to all of them is the same: Jesus. Thank your for sharing about your friends. I have lifted them up in prayer. I especially love what your friend Gwen shared about not asking for a prognosis from the doctor. That is God’s wisdom right there! God bless and heal them all!
Ann, I loved that too! And thank you for your prayers.
Will be praying for your friend Ms. Susie, and of course for you also Ms. Debbie. Your post reminds me of one of my favorite verses and Bible stories that buoy when when life’s waves are crashing around me. The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; and their reply to the king (Daniel 3:17-18) is one of those “Faith Balms” God applies to my soul when fear comes calling. God’s blessings to you and your sweet friends ma’am.
I love that story, J.D.! A real faith balm. Thanks so much for your prayers.
Fear is faith is what we are being attacked with. You are right that the Word of God is our weapon against fear.
Well said, Barbara. God’s word is much more worthy of our faith.
Mas apesar do medo, da dor e da tristeza que possam nos assolar, permaneçamos firmes na Rocha inabalável que é Jesus! Estamos orando pelos seus amigos que sofrem com o câncer! Deus abençoe!
Thank you for your prayers, Antonio.
Prayer is indeed powerful, Debbie. And it seems like you are such an amazing prayer warrior for your friends and others! I know you are a blessing in their lives.
Julie, you’re so right. Prayer is powerful. It moves the mountain of fear in us too.
Debbie, thank you for writing about faith balms. After reading your post and these Scriptures, I think I’ll do a better job of listening for faith balms when fear clamors for attention.
Jeannie, I’m doing that too. And the difference is amazing! Blessings to you.
Your devotion was balm to my soul today! Thank you.
Praise God! Thank you, Candyce.
I love your term “faith balms”. You are exactly right – faith is the way to conquer fear. Loved this post and I will be praying for your friend.
Thank you, Laurie. I know God is honoring our prayers.
Thank you for this reminder of faith over fear. It is a struggle for me recently, and I am grateful for the encouragement of his word through your post. Thanks.
Thank you, Sylvia. I need a fresh supply everyday!
The Words of our Savior through your post covered my fears today with His soothing balm of hope and faithfulness. I need Him every hour. Thank you for being obedient to express His message. May He richly bless you as only He can!
Thank you, Deborah. I appreciate your blessing. May He return it to you.