What is it that you fear the most? For me, it’s the unknown. If I don’t know what’s coming, I don’t know how to plan for it. I suspect that’s the way it is for many people with Myasthenia Gravis or any other chronic condition. Most of the time, what we fear never materializes or comes to reality. In essence, we worried over nothing.
Funny thing about worry. It not only causes us psychological and emotional distress; it can cause physical harm, as well. It can actually make Myasthenia Gravis or any other health condition worse.
Worry is the product of fear. We worry about if and how Myasthenia Gravis will progress in us. We worry if we’ll be able to take care of ourselves. We worry about having a myasthenic crises.
Sometimes I think I’m the king of worry. I can whip myself into a frenzy at the drop of a hat. Will the hat get dirty? Will it blow away? See how easy it is? Worry can consume us.
Not long ago I did a lot of introspection about why I worry so much. I realized something that blew me away. When I worry, I’m displaying my lack of faith in God.
Jesus told us, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” I realized I’ve been doing just the opposite. I’ve been trying to carry those burdens on my own and I simply can’t do it. I don’t have the strength on my own. I need God’s help.
Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” That’s pretty solid advice.
God never promised us a life without challenges. Instead, He promised He would always be there for us. That doesn’t mean He will remove the challenge. It means He will walk with us, calm our fears, and ease the worry.
I’m learning that when I feel fear coming and I start to worry, if I turn immediately to God and ask for strength, thank Him for His mercy, and place my worries on His altar, the worries get much easier to bear. Sometimes they don’t go away completely, but they become much easier to deal with.
Jesus told his disciples (John 14:27), “Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” This is a promise of divine, eternal peace. Jesus is assuring believers of inner calm and spiritual wholeness, regardless of external circumstances. That’s the kind of peace I need in my life and I only find it when I go to Him.
Now, when my fears lead me to worry, I turn to God first. My burdens may not be removed completely, but with God’s help, they become so much easier to bear.