Fear Not

After more than four decades of permanent paralysis, I can attest that only a daily, hourly, even momentary placing of our throbbing pain into his strong hands can protect us from the crippling ravages of fear. There are countless “Fear nots” in Scripture, each covering the whole spectrum of human experience. Every “Fear not” can be embraced and impressed on our hearts and repeated in a prayer as an affront to our adversary, the Devil, who would love nothing more than to keep us steeped in depression and anxiety. Consider memorizing this poem by Margaret Clarkson, a friend who was bedridden for years with chronic pain.

Lord Jesus, King of pain,

Thy subject I;

Thy right it is to reign:

Oh, hear my cry,

and bid in me all longings cease;

save for Thy holy will’s increase.

Thy right it is to reign

O’er all Thine own;

then, if Thy love send pain,

find there Thy throne,

who didst bear death and hell for me.

Lord Jesus, King of pain,

my heart’s adored,

teach me eternal gain

is love’s reward:

in Thee I hide me; hold me still

till pain work all Thy perfect will.

PRAYER: When I struggle with pain, dear Lord, teach me to wait on you and remember the example of Jesus, the King of pain. May I say with Job, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” (Job 13:15).

“God uses chronic pain and weakness, along with other afflictions, as his chisel for sculpting our lives. Felt weakness deepens dependency on Christ for strength each day. The weaker we feel, the harder we lean. And the harder we lean, the stronger we grow spiritually, even while our bodies waste away. To live with your ‘thorn’ uncomplainingly—that is, sweet, patient, and free in heart to love and help others, even though every day you feel weak—is true sanctification. It is true healing for the spirit. It is a supreme victory of grace. The healing of your sinful person thus goes forward, even though the healing of your mortal body does not.”

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