Fear Not!

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

(Psalm 23: 4 NIV)

Life is not always easy. Sometimes we experience terrible episodes, times of deep despair and excruciating pain. These are occasions when we don't think we can endure one more moment of agony. For some of us, this is our darkest valley. During the past few months my struggle with cancer and CIDP has brought me to some of those low and desperate moments when there seemed to be no way out of the dark, dark valley. Even the simplest of tasks like standing up, creeping along with my walker, getting dressed, even asking for help, were sheer agony. It was in those darkest moments that "I fear no evil; for you are with me" came to the rescue.

The rescue came in the form of the still voice of God whispering, "Just do it, trust me, ask for help." That was all I could hear, but it was enough. With my last ounce of strength I pushed on and through. I struggled to my feet, pushed my walker in its weary and painful way, put up with shaking arms and hands from muscles that no longer work, and in time I realized that each new day is a new beginning a chance to enjoy it not merely endure it.

It is true that life is not always easy. It is, however, equally true that even in our worst moments we have nothing at all to fear and for one reason only: that the Lord is with us. Through all Scripture the words "do not fear" and "I am with you" appear again and again in one form or another. Watch for them! Let them sink in and pray that they will control whole being; body, mind and soul. They are truly our rod and our staff. I know. I have been there. My guess is you have been there too.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Denny Dowd lives in Pennsylvania with her cat, Shamrock. Denny is a social worker and she enjoys writing, reading, and volunteering. Denny is the world's biggest Notre Dame Football fan. Denny lives with Chronic Inflammatory Demylineating Polyneuropathy and Cancer and has strong faith that God will see her through even the most difficult of days