2021 Daily Devotion - Day 422

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My last blood draw showed my cancer marker was up. That scares me. With every ache or pain I experience, I wonder if the cancer has moved to another organ or into my bones. It is easy for me to focus on the fear, and wonder what the next CAT scan will show. Last night I awakened in that familiar grip of fear, wondering what might be going on in my body. My heart cried out to God, and immediately these words came to mind: “I’m no longer a slave to fear; I am a child of God.” I recognized them as words to a song Miles Smith and his team have sung at church. That sentence resonated in my heart until I fell back to sleep.

This morning, upon awakening, the song came immediately to mind, its truth implanted in my heart. I do not have to be a slave to fear! I am God’s beloved child. When I focus on God, I no longer fear. Yesterday my brother-in-law called from Michigan to share the story of Peter walking on water. As long as his eyes were focused on Christ, he did not falter. I told him our son Jim had preached on that very topic during the Lenten season. I paid attention then, and I thanked Paul for reminding me. If I focus on the fear, I can easily become carried away by it. If I focus upon God, I know I am surrounded by His perfect love. I know that Love has a plan for me, and I want to be faithful to that plan. When I live in fear, I allow panic in, and I am helpless in the face of it. That is not where I want to live my life, because I am a child of God!

I John 4:18
There is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out fear.

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, I do not want to live in fear. Surround me with Your perfect love as I put my trust in You. May I be obedient to Your plan for my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Nancy Reynen
Small Group Leader
Mount of Olives Church
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