Today’s scripture: Hebrews 2:14-15
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage
According to an ancient legend, a man driving one day to Constantinople was stopped by an old woman who asked him for a ride. He took her up beside him and, as they drove along, he looked at her, became frightened and asked, “Who are you?” The old woman replied: “I am Cholera”
Thereupon the peasant ordered the old woman to get down and walk; but she persuaded him to take her along, promising not to kill more than five people in Constantinople. As a pledge of the promise, she handed him a dagger, assuring him it was the only weapon with which she could be killed. Then she added: “I shall meet you in two days. If I break my promise, you may stab me.” In Constantinople 120 people died of the cholera. The enraged man who had driven her to the city, and to whom she had given the dagger as a pledge that she would not kill more than five, went out to look for the old woman, and meeting her, raised his dagger to kill. But she stopped him, saying: “I have kept my agreement. I killed only five. Fear killed the others.”
Fear betrays man’s spirit, breaks down his defense, disarms him in the battle, makes him unfit for the work of life, and adds terror to the dying bed. Fear is a disease. Research has shown that fearful people tend to physically deteriorate rapidly when diagnosed with a disease, and the chances of their survival become very slim. The grave danger in this case, is not the disease, but fear. Some others live in perpetual fear of getting sick. This psychological state is known as Pathiphobia or disease phobia. Such people, when asked how they are, often reply, “Not well.” The news of somebody, close or remote, contacting or dying from an illness reinforces this fear and causes psychological instability, and physical stress, making them live generally unhealthy lives. Research has also shown that men, and women particularly, tend to shy away from cancer screenings, with the advantage of early detection and cure, as a result of fear – the fear that they would be diagnosed with the disease. But God has not given us the spirit of fear.
We cannot live above sickness and disease if we do not first live above fear itself. We need faith to stand firm in who we are in Christ Jesus. And we cannot have faith and keep fear. Do not allow yourself, under any circumstance, to be overcome by fear. Jesus bore your infirmities and your diseases and healed you by His stripes. If you have found yourself to be sick, do not let fear take root. You will not die. You will live to declare the glory of God. Saturate your heart with the Word of God and let it build faith in you . Expect the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, the same Spirit that lives in you, to quicken your mortal body to the glory of God. You don’t have to panic or get jittery at the slightest assault on your body or at the whim of a doctor’s summon. You have the Spirit of a sound mind, and you have victory over death and disease in Jesus’ name. Stand therefore with boldness and authority over every negative counsel of the enemy. Resist the devil and his scare tactics and he will flee from you. Embrace the love of God and live in His perfect peace in Jesus’ Name.
Meditate and Memorize:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1: 7
Prayer/ Confession:
Father I thank You because Your perfect love has given me power over fear and victory over death. I refuse to be ensnared by the dictates of negative reports that may surround me, my eyes are constantly fixed on the truth of Your word and I am in complete in Christ Jesus. Sin and sickness have no dominion over me, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
