No Hearts Fainting From Fear

Luke 21:25-28 (King James Version)

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."

The signs of the times are all around us. Waves of fear especially make their presence known at this time in the history of the world. Fear attacks through relationships not aligned with the will of God. Fear attacks through the evening news as "wars and rumors of wars" are reported via the airwaves. Financial challenges tempt one to fear, "Will I be able to pay my bills this month?" After reading a cat scan report, a surgeon declares, "You have a tumor and there is a 99.9% chance it is cancer."

Fear is the opposite of faith. Both fear and faith "see" that which has yet to occur. Fear says, "Unity will never be, satan keeps on twisting and the pain will keep on coming." Fear whispers, "What if a terrorist attacks? Am I safe?" Fear's voice is heard in "I'll lose my house, my car, will my family have its needs met? Paralyzing fear shouts, "You have cancer; You're going to die."

But God has given us a better way. Paul tells us in the book of Philippians that our peace can surpass all understanding through Jesus. This beautiful promise of the Lord is being played out before me through my mother who faces surgery tomorrow. She actually was told by her surgeon that the baseball-sized tumor in her left kidney was most likely cancer. Yet mom's response was not fear, but faith. She exhibits and has consistently exhibited this all surpassing kind of peace that can only come through Jesus!!!

Mom has never been a woman controlled by fear. Her quiet faith just trusts...simple and childlike. Just yesterday, her heart countered fear's attempt at control by declaring, "worrying won't change anything."

I believe Mom's continued attitude of faith has been medically proven by pre-surgical heart testing done to prove her ability to withstand the stress of a difficult surgical intervention. The cardiologist's physician's assistant told her that, "You have the heart of a woman half your age," after reviewing the results of her echocardiogram. The cardiologist commented, "Your heart is strong." Why? Because Mom does not allow the spirit of fear to control her, her heart does not faint!!! Mom's spiritual heart remains strong, thus her physical heart follows.

Mom's attitude of faith continues to be an example to me. I pray that her attitude gives you an example as well.

Be blessed, strengthened, and filled with peace through the heart-knowledge of Jesus!!!! Amen!!!!!