I recently had the opportunity to talk with my friend, Robin Luftig, on a podcast episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, What Would You Do if You Only Had 10 Days to Live? – Episode 66. Robin was unexpectedly diagnosed with a brain tumor, and told that she may only have ten days to live. That experience taught her so much about what she believes about herself and her God. The conversation was so rich, that I invited her to share more with you here.
Read to the end for a book giveaway!
When To Fear and When Not To
By Robin Luftig
It wasn’t until I finished writing God’s Best During Your Worst, that I realized I hadn’t delved into the feeling of Fear. I briefly touched on it when I described my experiences of Doubt, Confusion, and Focus, but only as a passing thought.
That caused me to pause. Why did a feeling so intense not rear its ugly head enough to be directly addressed? After much thought it was then that I realized …
It wasn’t worth the effort.
When I thought I may only have ten days to live, I needed to devour every second. Make my last moments on this earth count.
I didn’t have time to waste on Fear.
God feels the same when it comes to dealing with Fear. The phrase fear not is used at least 80 times through Scripture. That’s like God saying Don’t do it! Do. Not. Fear.
Of course there is a healthy fear. We read in scripture, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). We also know we don’t play in traffic of fear we’ll be hit by a car.
Both are examples of healthy fear.
What I’m talking about are teeth-chattering, sweaty-palms, sleepless nights fears. We’ve all been there at one time or another, but it helps to remember:
Our fear won’t change the situation … it only changes us.
When we deal with a catastrophe—let’s look at the coronavirus of today—our fear only affects our mind and emotions. The pandemic is still active and happening around us. But our fear of COVID-19 won’t affect the virus. It’s still the same.
We can use wisdom gleaned from medical experts. Cough into our elbow. Wash our hands often. Stay away from groups larger than ten people. But wisdom leaves fear far behind.
See the word picture offered in Scripture.
Jesus shares clearly in Luke so we could easily comprehend when to fear and when not to.
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:4-7).
Fear tells God you doubt His power.
Do you really want to tell the creator of the universe that He messed up? Remember the promise He made to Joshua? And that promise still lives on today … “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5, Hebrews 13:5).
You may not like what you see or feel at the moment. I didn’t particularly like that I had a tumor on my brain that may take my life. But … and get this …
I knew I could trust God’s word.
Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
God hasn’t moved. He’s still trustworthy. Let’s do our best to remember how big God really is.
When fear rears its ugly head in your life, how do you attack it? We’d love to hear in the comments below.
Robin Luftig
About Robin Luftig:
Be grateful in everything–even the bumpy rides … is Robin Luftig’s mantra while either writing for non-fiction readers or speaking to audiences on healing after tragedy. She’s an award-nominated columnist for great magazines such as Leading Hearts, CBN.com, and many more. She is the author of two books, Learning to Bloom Again (a journey of healing after divorce) and God’s Best During Your Worst and will soon be launching her first novel, Ladies of the Fire in late 2020. She is a leader in Word Weavers International, a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).
She lives near Harrisburg Pennsylvania with her best pal/hubster and has five grown children and two grandbabies.
Book Giveaway!
In conjunction with this post and the podcast interview, What Would You Do if You Only Had 10 Days to Live? – Episode 66, Robin Luftig is giving away a free copy of her book, God’s Best During Your Worst.
Leave a comment below sharing with us one thing you’ve learned about when to fear and when not to and you will be entered into the contest.
You could also share this blog post on Facebook or Twitter then comment here to tell us where you shared it and you’ll also be entered into the drawing.
The winner will be selected at random and announced next Monday, July 27, 2020, here on this post. Continental United States only.
(If there are affiliate links in this post, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you)).
I appreciated the idea of facing fear head on and the reminder of how many times God says fear not. It’s a daily sitting in the presence of the Lord to win the battle against fear!
Thank you Michelle. Fear always wants to rear up, and I have to guard against it. One thing I always try to remember is that God is good, and nothing can separate me from Him. So no matter what else happens, I’m okay. Thanks for your post.
Jan
yep I know I am not suppose to fear, but I don’t find it easy not to. I have been telling myself move forward, just a tiny bit. Because fear can stop me in my tracks, so I say just move forwrad. It seems to help.
Michelle, I so enjoyed and was blessed by the podcast interview with Robin. She was so very open and candid about her brain tumor and what the doctor’s told her. I can identify with a brain situation as my hubby had a brain bleed and could have died but praise the Lord his symptoms were such that I got him to the hospital and they id a CT scan finding that his brain was pushed over 14 percent. So he had brain surgery and God took amazing care of him. Our heart were as yours: no time for fear, just living and trusting God for the outcome and every moment decisions about care and treatment. Thank you, Robin, for encouraging me so much to just trust God for each day and know what you believe. I realized during that 80 mile an hour ambulance ride to the major hospital for surgery, that I truly did trust my precious hubby with the Lord and the doctors HE CHOSE for him. I would love to get your book and read it. I know I would be so blessed and encouraged. Thanks Michelle for for having Robin on the podcast. I will share this blog on Facebook.
I’m still learning not to fear. I may not be able to make decisions for my grandson or protect him When he’s with his mother but he is not out of Gods reach or plans for his life. Our prayers are powerful. I’ve been seeking, knocking and asking.
If I had only ten days to live, I would get my book in order and off to the publisher. I wouldn’t keep bemoaning being away from my beloved grandchildren and drive the four hours to stay with them for a week. Life is too short to live with regrets and worry about how to spend money. I’m excited that this author has had some great ideas on fully living as she’s been through a difficult situation with her health.
Great truths about fear, especially the idea that it doesn’t change the situation, only us.
Thank you for sharing this extremely powerful post! I struggle with anxiety and I never thought about it in the way you described. I need to stop “giving power” to that which I cannot control and trust my God who is in control of EVERYTHING!
Thank you, Robin and Michelle, for sharing this life-changing information. I am so impressed with Robin’s quick response of trust. Would that we all could come to that place quickly in whatever circumstance comes our way. God bless you both.
“Fear tells God you doubt His power.” Wow. That really getting to the heart of things, and it really made me pause. Powerful post, Robin! Thanks for sharing, Michelle!