Have you ever tried to go one full way without worrying? I have and it isn’t easy. I’d like to tell you that I give it all to God and never take it back. Or I stay calm under very stressful situations without trying to fix the problem all by myself. But I can’t. You know why? I’m human. We worry from time to time… or at least most of us do. As I was studying for a weekend, I ran across this interesting story about a woman with an extremely rare condition…
So rare, in fact, that only 400 cases have been reported worldwide. It causes her to speak without hesitation… jump when others pull back… boldly face danger… and do it all with a smile. Her condition? Urbach-Wiethe syndrome… also known as “no fear” disease.
This woman lives with absolutely no external fears. No sweaty palms. No elevated heartbeat. No worry. She still logically senses incoming danger… for example, if a car is heading toward her, she knows to get out of the way. She is able to face external stresses with no fear. But the internal ones?
Still there.
Isn’t it interesting that this condition blocks her from being afraid of what she can see… but still allows the mind to process fear on the inside? The mind is powerful… and if we let it, it will paralyze us in worry and strife. It causes us to fear externally and internally… spending our days stuck in neutral waiting for things to change. But did you also know that you don’t need a rare condition to numb you to worry and stress. In fact, God has already given you the plan.
A plan for you, the worrier. A hope for you, the stressed. A peace for you, the burdened. His plan? He wants you to get up everyday and internalize these two verses:
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
No fear. No wringing your hands over an empty bank account. No more late night crying sessions over children that have lost their way. No more feeling the dread of upcoming evaluations… or examinations… or loss. You weren’t sent here to fear. You weren’t designed to live in denial. You weren’t meant to spend every day grasping for control of situations that you can’t possibly bend to your will.
You were meant to trust.
You don’t need more faith. You need to live out the faith that you already have. Even if all the faith you’ve got left is the size of a pebble… God can move mountains with it. Take the two verses from today’s devotional and write them down on index cards. Keep those cards with you everywhere you go… purse, wallet, dashboard, vanity, mirror, etc. And when the enemy tries to take you down by buckling your knees, stand strong in the power of these truths from our Heavenly Father.
Life’s coming at you… and because of these verses, I can assure you that you’ll be ready… not in your own strength, but through the One who walks with you in the valley of uncertainty and challenge. He’s more than enough and He’ll never let you go.
