Finding Hope When Living With Chronic Pain and IllnessSample

Facing Life’s Giants

“The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the LORD be with you!” —1 Samuel 17:37

Living with a chronic illness can be scary. And panic can ensue when a new symptom arises. In some cases, those moments result in a trip to the emergency room, where a long wait to be seen adds to the fear and anxiety. Each new symptom and diagnosis feels like another mountain to climb or battle to fight.

Everyone faces a giant of one kind or another at some point in life. That didn’t just start with our generation. First Samuel 17:37 is a reminder of that. Samuel tells us that David feared, but God rescued him. It’s important for us to never forget that the Lord was with David, and He is with us as well.

David had spent his life as a shepherd. He faced lions and bears while protecting his sheep. He never realized he was also training to fight a giant named Goliath. David knew God delivered him in the past, so he was confident that would be the case again. God’s strength allowed David to defeat Goliath, an achievement few people would have thought possible. However, it would have been impossible without God by David’s side.

Like David, God is preparing us as well, even if we’re not sure about the specific details. Pain can cloud our memories. It may also block out reminders of when God provided for us and delivered us from numerous giants of our own or allowed us to take part in events we thought would never happen for fear of a flare-up. With a chronic illness, our bodies are the perfect environment for what-if thoughts that can lock us in a prison of fears. Second Timothy 1:7 is a reminder that God did not give us a spirit of fear. So don’t believe the enemy’s lies.

Look to the Lord to hold you up, especially when you are facing new symptoms. Turn to Him, not the internet. Don’t be held captive by fear. Allow Him to rescue you from the swirling thoughts and anxieties threatening to overwhelm you.

Lord, thank You for the reminders of how You’ve been there for me in the past and that I can run to You instead of fearing the giants I may face. Amen.