Overcoming fear of the unknown

The last two days have been ones of hurry up and wait. Yesterday was busy with CT angiogram and small bowel follow through; while today, has been incredibly slow waiting on test results. On top of that we were thinking we would get to go home today, however, we are now waiting to have PICC replaced. Yes, his less than a month old PICC is not drawing so they want to replace it before sending him home. IR's schedule is incredibly full so they will not be able to get to him until 8 or 9 tonight. And seeing that he has to be monitored for at least 2 hours afterwords, he will have to stay another night.

The small bowel follow through looked markedly better from his most recent one in the spring, which is very good. The contrast made it's way through in a timely manner and motility looked much improved. Now, why does he continue to have the bloating and yakking? Quite the puzzlement, my hubby.

This afternoon we finally received results from CT angiogram and there is definitely something there, but it is undetermined as to what it is. It could be just a loop in a vessel, or it could be a small aneurysm, they can't tell. The neurologist, in consultation with Dr. A, decided to refer Ron's case to UT Southwestern. Presby will send the information over to UT Southwestern to be studied by their neuro team, which is supposed to be the best around. They will then, most likely, have him come in for further testing.

You'd think we'd be a little freaked out by all that's taken place over the last few days and now this possible diagnosis; but, honestly, we are doing very well. As we were discussing the possibility of these results, we wondered if all this other stuff happened just so we would have all these tests in order to find this possible aneurysm. Again, God always goes before us; and we're choosing to trust him for whatever the results may be.

This morning as I was reading a devotional I wasn't able to get to last week, it struck me how appropriate the timing was for today. I hope it ministers to you as much as it has to us.

Much love, Christie

Overcoming the Fear of the Unknown
20 Nov 2009
Micca Monda Campbell

"Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before." Joshua 3:4a (NIV)

Do you have a fear of the unknown? If so, then you know how nerve-racking it can be. Fearing the unknown can cause us to live on pins and needles as we spend precious energy anticipating the worst-case scenario. There are two problems with this type of fear:

1. The future is not here.
2. The future is not ours.

While the future may be out of our hands, it's not out of the hands of an adequate and trustworthy God. When we face a worrisome unknown situation, we can look to Joshua as an example.

It's recorded in the first chapter of Joshua that before Moses died, God passed the baton of leadership to Joshua. The Israelites had been wandering in the desert for 40 years under the guidance of Moses. Now, their journey was almost over. Just beyond the Jordan River was their promised land—the land that God had guaranteed to Abraham and his descendants.

Upon reaching the Jordan River, Joshua and the Israelites set up camp by the stream and awaited God's direction. Much like their meeting with the Red Sea, God had to make a way for them to cross over the river. On the third day, God told the officers to instruct the people that when they saw the Ark of the Covenant (where God's Presence abided) to follow it because they had "never passed this way before" (Joshua 3:4). In essence God was saying, Follow Me and I'll see you through this unknown territory.

That's not all. The people were instructed on how closely they should follow the ark. Without this instruction, the people would have crowded the ark and God wanted every person to be able to see His presence ever faithfully leading them through the unknown valley. What greater encouragement could they have than this, that the Lord was their God, a God who was with them?

You see, friend, the Lord understands our fear of the unknown. He realizes that you may be in a situation that you've never passed through before and you're afraid. It may be the first time you've been without employment. Maybe you've just been diagnosed with an illness or your child is in rebellion. You've never been down this road before and you don't know which way to go or what to do. God will guide the way.

Joshua's life was unpredictable and full of unknowns much like yours and mine. Yet, he successfully resisted fear by keeping his focus on God rather than the events surrounding him. Just as God guided the Israelites through unknown territory, He will guide you and me too. When we come to a place we've never passed through before, God is always present to help us.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God,the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; (Isaiah 43:2,3b, NIV).

Even though the children of Israel were not told how they would pass over the river, the people went forth in faith. We too can move forward in faith sharing in the promised presence of God leading the way through our unknown circumstances.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your promised presence. It comforts my heart to know that I am not alone. Lead me, Lord, through the unknown in my life. Make Your path clear and I will follow it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Visit Micca's blog – Reflections

Today's devotion was taken from Micca's book, An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger Than All Your Fears. Order your copy by clicking here.

Do You Know Him?

Application Steps:
The Bible calls us to walk by faith not by sight. God doesn't always give us the details we desire.

He does give us Himself. Believing is certainty that He's laid out a path and He goes before us.

Reflections:
Have you ever run from fear? Where and when?

Where did you find comfort from your fear?

How can God's promised presence soothe your fears?

Power Verses:
Psalm 32:8, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." (NIV)

Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (NIV)

© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.