Fear is the natural first response if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer. A cancer diagnosis takes you into uncharted territory, and

there are few greater fears than fear of the unknown.

Fear is very real and cannot be ignored. But God gives us the power to fight fear—and potentially we may find victory over it!

In t h e G o s p e ls , w e s e e a m o m e n t w h e n t h e d is c ip le s e x p e r ie n c e d g r e a t f e a r. I t w a s la t e o n e e v e n in g w h e n J e s u s a n d t h e d is c ip le s h a d b o a r d e d a sm a ll b o a t t o s lip a w a y f r o m t h e c r o w d s in C a p e r n a u m a n d c r o s s o v e r t h e S e a o f G a li le e t o t h e r e g io n o f t h e G e r a s e n e ’s .

S u d d e n ly , a f u r io u s s t o rm c a m e u p o n t h e la k e . W a v e s b e g a n t o s w e e p o v e r t h e r a i lin g . S e v e r a l o f t h e m e n w e r e e x p e r ie n c e d fi s h e rm e n a n d k n e w a s q u a ll l ik e t h is c o u ld s in k t h e ir b o a t . T h e d is c ip le s w e r e a f r a id f o r t h e ir l iv e s . T h e y r u s h e d b a c k t o J e s u s a n d f o u n d H im in t h e s t e r n , s le e p in g o n a c u s h io n . T h e y s h o o k h im a w a k e . “L o r d , s a v e u s !” t h e y s h o u t e d . “W e ’r e g o in g t o d r o w n !”

J e s u s w o k e u p . H e s t o o d , lo o k e d o u t o v e r t h e d a r k s t o rm a n d c o m m a n d e d t h e w in d a n d t h e w a v e s t o b e s t i ll . Im m e d ia t e ly , t h e s t o rm w in d s s t o p p e d ,

a n d t h e s e a w a s c a lm . T h e m e n w e r e a m a z e d . T h e n J e s u s t u r n e d t o H is d is c ip le s a n d a s k e d t h e m o n e q u e s t io n :

W h y w o u ld t h e y n o t b e a f r a id ? T h e y w e r e c a u g h t in a t e r r ib le s t o rm , a n d t h e ir l iv e s w e r e in d a n g e r ! F e a r s e e m s lik e a v e r y n a t u r a l a n d r e a s o n a b le r e a c t io n .

Ye t J e s u s s e e m s s u r p r is e d t h a t t h e y w e r e a f r a id . Tw o t h in g s c a n b e s e e n h e r e :

• F ir s t , t h e y d id n o t h a v e t o b e a f r a id . T h e y w e r e t r a v e lin g w it h t h e S o n o f G o d .

• S e c o n d , J e s u s d id n o t w a n t t h e m t o b e a f r a id . T h e y h a d w a lk e d w it h H im lo n g e n o u g h t o h a v e t h e a b ili t y t o t r u s t in s t e a d o f f e a r.

W h y a r e y o u s o a f r a i d ?

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Jesus did not belittle the disciples by asking why they were so fearful. He was not saying that the fear was not real or significant. But He wanted them to understand that victory over fear could be possible.

Your fears may be real, they may be reasonable, and they may be strong. But because of the power of God, fear does not have to control you.

In those hard moments that you find yourself feeling anxious or fearful, remind yourself that fear does not have to control you. Take your fears and concerns to the feet of Jesus in prayer. The Bible says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Not allowing fear to control us is easy to say and easy to read, but it takes an active step of faith and a measure of discipline. We need to set our minds on what we know God said is true about fear and His faithfulness. We need to anchor our thoughts on the Word of God and fill our heart with His promises. There is less opportunity for fear to control us when we are filled with God’s truth, peace and love.

When fearful thoughts fill your mind, turn them away. Refuse to meditate on them, and replace them with thoughts of God’s goodness. When feelings of fear creep in we can do what David did when he “encouraged himself in the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6).

Here are some anchors of truth that can help you find victory over fear. Meditate on these verses, keep coming back to them, and search the Scriptures because there are many more. God is Bigger Than What You Fear The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? - Psalm 27:1

You have a reason to confront fear and not allow it to control you. Why? Because the Lord is with you. “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4). No matter what comes against you today, God is always on your side. Nothing can separate you from His love.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future,

nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

R O M A N S 8 : 3 8 - 3 9

Health, Hope & Inspiration is a weekly podcast, sponsored by Cancer Treatment Centers of America®(CTCA), designed to help people find answers to questions about cancer, cancer prevention and overall healthy living. One of the greatest gifts a person can enjoy is good health. A well-rounded lifestyle is the product of physical, emotional and spiritual health. These three things are interdependent, and that is the message of Health, Hope & Inspiration, as well as the basis of the integrative approach at CTCA®.

For more information, visit our website at www.HealthHopeAndInspiration.com.© IPB 2020

Rev. Percy McCray Jr. has spent more than 20 years ministering to cancer patients and their caregivers at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA).

An ordained minister, Rev. McCray is a member of the U.S. Chaplain Association. He has been recognized as one of the “most influential African Americans in Lake County (IL)” by the Chicago People’s Voice newspaper for his religious and leadership roles within the community.

Cancer Treatment Centers of America® is a national network of five hospitals in the United States with expertise in treating patients who are fighting cancer. We combine state-of-the-art technologies with an integrative approach to care in order to reduce side effects and maintain quality of life during cancer treatment. If you or someone you love has cancer, call 866-712-4673 or go to www.CancerCenter.com/Faith.

&HEALTH, HOPE INSPIRATIONWITH REV PERCY MCCRAY

God is Better Than What You Think

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! - Psalm 34:8

We know that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28). Nothing that happens to you surprises Him. He promises to “meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). And He promises to never leave you. “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

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. - Jeremiah 29:11

There is No Fear in Love

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. - 1 John 4:18 Right now, even as you read these words, Jesus is praying for you. At this very moment, the Bible tells us that He is “at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).

Fear not. No matter how your situation may look right now, you are loved, you are cared for, and you

have a mighty Helper. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10