Recently, I have had some concerns about my health. I was having some digestive issues that lasted for about 3 weeks. It caused me some difficulties, and because of it, I was experiencing discomfort and fatigue.
When our bodies are not functioning properly, some repercussions can lead to further illness. I have had digestive issues for as long as I can remember, but this was the worst it had been in over a decade. Because my dad had many of these same issues and died of stomach cancer in 2022, it caused me alarm.
I am not afraid of dying, but let’s be real, none of us want to suffer. If we all had our way, we would die quietly and peacefully in our sleep with no pain or discomfort. Better yet, why can’t the Lord just take us up like Enoch? I walk faithfully with the Lord…at least most of the time. Imagine that being taken up like Enoch in 2025 with no witnesses. There would be missing persons bulletins posted everywhere! My poor daughter, who tracks me on her iPhone’s location app, would be so confused!
Nevertheless, I digress. The point is that dying is inevitable, but living, really living, is the key. How are we living, in fear or by faith? Are we trusting in the Lord with all our hearts and not leaning on our own understanding? There may be moments of doubt, fear, anxiety, or stress amidst uncertainty. That’s normal. However, we must choose not to live in that place. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Our responsibility is to cast out any thoughts that do not align with the Word of God. We must not allow them to take up residence in our minds. Evict them immediately! No thirty-day notice is needed! The Apostle Paul understood the importance of training our minds to think on the things of God.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8).
Unwelcome thoughts will always attempt to infiltrate our minds, but we always have a choice. The enemy uses anxiety, rejection, shame, and unhealed emotional wounds to try to steer us off course. He wants us to be crippled by thoughts that cloud out peace, joy, and hope for the future. Do we let those thoughts dwell and discourage or derail us? Or do we choose to focus on Jesus and the promises of God? His promises are steadfast, unfailing truths we can build our lives upon because God is faithful and unchanging. His Word will never return void. It always accomplishes what God desires. It fulfills every purpose for which He has sent it (Isaiah 55:11).
We cannot dwell on fear and anxiety when we focus on Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He IS the TRUTH. Holding fast to Jesus keeps us rooted and grounded in truth. Fear and anxiety are replaced with the peace of Christ. Anxiety and peace cannot coexist. The peace of God is unmatched!
So again, how are we living, really living? We don’t focus on our circumstances. We focus on Jesus, the Prince of Peace. We trust in Him, the One who never changes. Our circumstances are temporary. Everything we experience in this life is fleeting, both the good and the hard seasons.
My digestive issues come and go, but God’s promises are eternal. We are responsible for taking care of these earthly bodies entrusted to us. We should not take our health for granted. However, if we are battling health issues, while we do all the things within our ability to overcome them, we pray for healing. Don’t worry. Don’t panic. Pray fervently without ceasing and ask others to join you. Then, choose to live! Choose to make the most of every day God gives you. Trust Him. Praise Him. Wait in joyful expectation. Testify of His goodness, which shuts down the schemes of the enemy. Don’t take your eyes off the prize, Jesus!
(Isaiah 26:3-4, NIV) You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
