The Chains of Concern – Kristin Sterk

The opposite day Dan and I had been chatting about life and I needed to confess one thing: I’ve been scuffling with concern. Concern that has taken residence in my coronary heart, and I don’t prefer it. Since September of 2022, after I was recognized with leukemia, I’ve tried to battle the concern that was thrown like a pie to my face, on the each day. I attempt to dodge it, run away from it, and ignore it. However ever since my coronary heart has acted up once more, I’ve been battling concern. Concern that I’m going to wish a coronary heart transplant. Concern that my coronary heart isn’t going to get higher. Concern that I’m going to relapse once more. Concern that I’ll want one other bone marrow transplant, however gained’t qualify for one. Concern that I gained’t ever get my “regular” life again.

And I acknowledge, this isn’t who I’m. This isn’t who God created me to be. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God gave us a spirit not of concern however of energy and love and self-control.” This concern I’ve? Will not be from Him, however is of Devil and he’s making an attempt to inform me that I have to be in management and that I want to manage the result. Do you wish to understand how debilitating that’s? There isn’t a such freedom on this mind-set, besides chains that maintain us to the worrisome floor we’re standing on.

Do I’ve a purpose to concern? Nicely, I’ve had a failing coronary heart for years and I did relapse as soon as already, so these experiences have turn out to be triggers for me. Triggers that inform me I have to launch a bit extra management and that I’ve some extra therapeutic to do. I’m valuing what I feel is finest over what God has already completely ordained for the reason that starting of time, creating this concern. I’m valuing my well being over the redemptive story God is weaving by way of my life. I’m valuing my consolation over what God may be doing to advance His kingdom for His glory.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Don’t be concerned about something, however in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made recognized to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The Bible doesn’t say, generally you may be anxious and in “this” scenario it’s okay. No, it says to not be concerned about ANYTHING. PRAY about it, and let God know what you’re scuffling with! And peace will guard your coronary heart from that concern.

And let me inform you, I’ve skilled this personally. Ever since I admitted my concern, I’ve been making an attempt to combine reality into each a part of my day, particularly by way of music, and that peace and pleasure is coming again. In reality, I wasn’t going to put in writing this put up till after my bone marrow biopsy subsequent week, which exams to see if that most cancers is again as a result of I didn’t wish to write this after which have it truly come again. I wished to put in writing this fear-free from my circumstances. However you see what I did there? I’m utilizing my circumstances as the premise for my stage of peace, because the benchmark for my happiness, and my marker for true pleasure.

No, pleasure will be discovered TODAY. True peace, is present in TODAY due to the hope we’ve in Christ.

On the best way to a soccer sport in the present day for a youth group kiddo and my niece, Mazy had requested the tune, “No Chains” by KB. Sure, I’ve infiltrated my little one with a love for Christian hip-hop and rap! In any case, the primary lyric is “I’m so free I’ve obtained no chains on me”.

And that’s the reality I stand in in the present day. I will be launched from the chains of concern as a result of I’m free in Christ and solely by way of His demise, do I’ve life. A life that I can reside to the fullest! I’m not saying that the concern is “poof” gone, however after I enable the reality of God’s Phrase to permeate my coronary heart, there’s a stage of peace that surpasses all understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I don’t know if you happen to wrestle with concern, however if you happen to do, know that you just don’t stroll alone. However you additionally don’t must stroll with that concern both. The chains of concern don’t must lavatory you down. Let the liberty present in Christ to chop these chains off so you may run free, the race God has marked out for you!