His Spirit Walks With Us

His Spirit Walks With Us

You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

“Doc, I’m afraid to go to the big city hospital. Can’t you do the surgery here? I’ve never really traveled outside of Cheatham County, and it worries me.”

Many of my patients are salt-of-the-earth country folks who don’t get out much. The anxiety of an unfamiliar place, along with the fear of a life-threatening illness, can easily overwhelm them. Sometimes their fear paralyzes them, and they don’t take the actions they need to get better. Occasionally, they outright refuse lifesaving treatment because of their fear.

As a way to help them, I started accompanying my most fearful and fragile patients to the hospital. When accompanied by a familiar face, their fear abated, and they went willingly.

Often using today’s verse, I would pray with them that God would be with us in this strange and unfamiliar world we were entering. That way they could know for certain, even when I left, that God was right there beside them.

Are there fears that paralyze you from doing God’s will in your life?

Do you prefer to sit in the comfort of the familiar?

If the God of the universe personally held your hand and guided you, would you be willing to step out of your comfort zone and take up a new task for him?

My patients bravely crossed over barriers they would not have surmounted if they’d had to go it alone. Because they knew that Jesus was walking side-by-side with them, they were able to overcome their very real fears. As their doctor, I’ve had the privilege of a fifty-yard-line seat, watching and cheering them on as they did.

TODAY’S RX

Step out in faith, one step at a time, and God will light your path.

Lord, when I face obstacles that scare me, help me to remember that you are mighty and all-powerful, taking down giants and parting seas for the benefit of your people. Thank you for always being at my rescue.