Chapter 12 ~ From Panic to Peace

Have you ever felt like God is doing something in your life? Is there a time when it dawned on you, God is keeping step with the circumstances of your life? Or, maybe you'd like to turn that thought around, the you feel like, for this particular time in your life, that you are step in step with God.

All of the above seems to happening this day.

As you all know, this week I will have a biopsy. That same day I will undergo a lung function test. I expect these two procedures to tell me what the days ahead will look like. Unless there is something unforeseen, I most likely will be facing surgery.

And, as most of us would expect, there is a level of fear that I am feeling. It comes and goes, oscillating with my feelings of thankfulness for an early diagnosis. Along the way is the really amazing news, that should this play out as it seems, my downtime will be manageable and 6 months from now, I should be back to full steam. And then, fear says no way.

I am doing very well at this point in the journey and I am thankful that the moments of peace far outweigh the attacks of fear. But when they come, they are dark and tough.

At this point, unknown to me, I set up a reading schedule for us to work through the book "Traveling Light", and lo and behold, what chapter would we be reading through this week? You got it, "From Panic to Peace: The Burden of Fear."

Here are thoughts I found challenging, encouraging and helpful...

• How remarkable that Jesus felt such fear: But how kind that he told us about it. (pg 98)
• The first one to hear his fear is his Father. He could have gone to his mother. He could have confided in his disciples. He could have assembled a prayer meeting. All would have been appropriate, but none were his priority. He went first to his father. (pg 99)
• Good counsel in golf. Good counsel in life. Rather than focus on the fear; focus on the solution. (pg 100)
• How did Jesus endure the terror of the crucifixion? He went first to the Father with his fears...Do the same with yours. Don't avoid life's Gardens of Gethsemane. Enter them. Just don't enter them alone. And while you are there, be honest. Pounding on the ground is permitted. Tears are allowed. And if you sweat blood, you won't be the first.. Do what Jesus did; open your heart. (pg 101)
• He doesn't think your fears are foolish or silly. He won't tell you to "buck up" or "get tough." He's been where you are. He knows how you feel...He knows what you need. (this one is my favorite). (pg 101)

I would like to hear your thoughts, your favorites...