Battling Fear in a Health Crisis

Joanie Shawhan doesn't just observe problem situations, she jumps into the thick of them to offer godly solutions in a practical, non-threatening way. In this Health UPGRADE, Joanie touches on a specific problem—COVID-19—but also applies it to other health battles. In the process, she helps us see there are battles beyond the physical."I checked my texts for the umpteenth time," Joanie said. "Finally! — 'You have a new test result.”

I (Dawn) understand this waiting for test results so well, and the temptation to fear during the wait. I'm glad Joanie addresses this both biblically and practically.

Joanie continues . . .

My heart pounded as I opened my online medical chart. The word “positive” jumped off the page.

COVID.

Fear threatened to swallow me.

I echoed David’s cries:

The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me (Psalm 18:4 NIV).

I had gone into urgent care the day before with a fever, a whopping headache, and ear pressure. I thought I had a sinus infection and swimmer’s ear. The doctor would prescribe an antibiotic and I’d quickly recover.

My first inkling I may have misdiagnosed myself arrived in the form of a staff member in full protective gear leading me down a back hallway to an isolated area of the clinic.

Was the swab really necessary? After all, it was just a sinus infection.

My wall of denial crumbled when I received a call from the medical staff.

Even more disconcerting, the medical profession offered little helpful instruction: rest, hydrate, and come to the ER for shortness of breath.

I received no comforting words, treatment, or benign reassurances.

Even though most people survived, the fear of death proved staggering. An atmosphere of fear formed a thick cloud over my reasoning.

I was on my own. I had to navigate this disease with few resources, little personal experience, and an unknown outcome. Would I survive?

I had faced the shadow of death once before when diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Now I sought comfort again from Psalm 23.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4 ESV).

As the battle raged in my body, an even GREATER BATTLE raged against my soul.

I felt the Lord whisper, “I will not have my people living in fear.”

My real battle was FEAR, not COVID.

How would I navigate through fear and survive this dreaded disease? I needed to recognize the battle belonged to the Lord. He would provide me with a strategy.

My Battle Strategy

1. Call the Prayer Warriors.

I needed prayer, not only for healing from COVID, but to fight the fear that engulfed me. Especially since I didn’t have the strength to fight for myself.

Like a looped recording, the enemy hissed in my ear, “You could die.”

But I needed to hear a different word from my prayer warriors:

• You shall not die, but live.
• God is not finished with you yet.

These words and others pushed back the fear that I, too, would become a COVID casualty.

2. Worship.

A prayer warrior friend counselled me to immerse myself in worship.

The presence of God changed the atmosphere of fear and pushed back the darkness that obscured my thinking.

As I worshipped, I listened to a new looped recording:

God is a waymaker, he is for me, he surrounds me and fights for me.

My strength was weak, but the Lord surrounded me with his presence and pushed back the fear.

3. Replace Fear with the Word of God.

I needed to replace the voice of fear with the Word of the Lord.

These scriptures provided a lifeline for me to cling to in the midst of the fray.

• The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 NKJV).
• 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 (Isaiah 41:10 NIV).

4. Trust God.

While I was battling the symptoms of the disease, trusting God in the face of an unknown outcome proved challenging.

Healing from COVID could take time. Probably more time than I had patience.

But I read:

See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory (Isaiah 12:2 NLT).

5. Thank Him.

No matter the outcome, Jesus is my only hope. I desperately needed His presence and His perspective.

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! (Psalm 42:11 NLT).

I am grateful not only for the Lord healing me, but for freeing me from the bondage of fear.

I cried to God in my distress and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears! (Psalm 34:4 TPT).

You too can battle fear in a health crisis!

What strategies has the Lord given you to fight fear when you feel overwhelmed by your circumstances?

Joanie Shawhan shares true-life stories, offering her reader an eyewitness view of the action. Her Selah Awards Finalist book, In Her Shoes: Dancing in the Shadow of Cancer, reflects the value of “your story plus my story become our stories.” An ovarian cancer survivor and registered nurse, Joanie speaks to medical students in the Survivors Teaching Students program. She co-founded an ovarian cancer social group: The Fried Eggs—Sunny-Side Up. Publishing credits include: Guideposts Divine Interventions, Wit, Whimsy & Wisdom, Life Repurposed, We May Be Done But We’re Not Finished and The Upper Room. Visit Joanie at www.joanieshawhan.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Fernando Zhiminaicela at Pixabay.

Are You 'Testing Positive'?

In this Attitude UPGRADE, Dawn Wilson encourages intentional choices for hope, joy and optimism.

In the tests of life, are you testing positive?

Over the past year with the COVID-19, we've become so aware of the phrase "testing positive." A positive test means a person may have antibodies from an infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 or another related coronavirus.

"Testing positive" can also can be a result for any other number of tests for various cancers and diseases.

It's usully not a happy day when we "test positive."

"Testing positive" can either be considered good or bad when it comes to pregnancy tests. Christians believe children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3), but sometimes the timing of a pregnancy can cause someone to doubt that!

Yet nothing takes our God by surprise. He often has greater plans than we can anticipate.

There's also such a thing as testing "false positive."

A test can incorrectly indicate that a particular condition or attribute is present. For example, during stress testing, which is a routine diagnostic tool used to detect heart disease, women have a significant number of false positives.

The Lord spoke to me about my attitudes a few weeks ago. I got caught up in all the negative news on television, and it colored my thoughts and attitudes.

It was as if the Lord said,  

"I want you to walk with me in the light, and not in the darkness. Put away your negativity. I am the God of Hope!"

You see, I had a "false positive."

• On the outside—I had the appearance of joy.
• On the inside—I was dark, fretful, and grumbling.
• On those days, the condition of my heart did not line up with what I said I believed.

God sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7); He knows the truth about our attitudes. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sinful attitudes (John 16:8) so we can realign our hearts with God's Word and walk in truth, pleasing our Father God.

Christians should be realists, but they also should be the most positive, optimistic people in the world.

God's grace and mercy are deep to meet our needs (Hebrews 4:16), and His promises for the family of faith are incredible.

Why We Can Be Positive in Christ

• We are new creations, made alive with Him (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:5);
• We are inhabited by the Trinity—God takes up residence (John 14:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Colossians 1:27; 1 John 4:15);
• We are partakers of the divine nature and have a new heart (2 Peter 1:4; Ezekiel 11:19);
• We are no longer slaves to sin, but called to be holy and pleasing to God (Romans 6:5-6; Romans 12:1);
• Free from condemnation, we now can walk according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1);
• We are being transformed, conformed to the image of Christ (Ephesians 4:22-24; Romans 8:29; 2  Corinthians 3:18);
• We are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37);
• As God's workmanship, we can do good works that glorify God (Ephesians 2:10);
• We are chosen to declare God's praises (1 Peter 2:9);
• Because of God's grace and power, we can become servants of the gospel, discipling and teaching others (Ephesans 3:7; Matthew 28:18-20);
• We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3);
• And so much more!

So how do we live so we will "test positive" in authentic ways?

1. Read the Word with the desire to obey God in faith.

Read with the intent to hear from God or learn something new about Him. The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to show us how to live to joyfully please the Father and train for righteousness and ministry (2 Timothy 3:16).

Is there is something God wants you to act on or obey that might increase your hope, faith, or joy?

Is there something that might help you live for Him or minister more effectively?

2. Communicate regularly with the Father.

The God of all wisdom, comfort, power, etc. wants to express His nature to you. He will use scripture and biblical truth to encourage your heart.

Are you so connected to the Lord through prayer that you can receive from Him at any time and in any circumstance?

What has He said to you recently that encouraged or challenged you?

3. Check your heart daily to be sure you are walking in the Spirit.

Review what it means to walk in the Spirit. In part, it involves submission to the will of God and keeping in step with the Spirit of God.

Some people think this will rob them of joy in this life, but to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18b) and walk in the Spirit is to experience the "fruit of the Spirit"—and that includes joy and peace (Galatians 5:22-23). Walking in the Spirit enables us to enjoy all the Spirit has for us, and to respond in the toughest situations as Jesus would.

Are you filled with and walking in the Spirit daily?

What's the evidence in your life?

4. Express gratitude, worship and praise to the Lord.

As we are filled with the Spirit of God, we will find our hearts overflowing with gratitude, singing and joy (Ephesians 5:18-29; Colossians 3:16).

We were created to worship God (Psalm 29:1-2; Psalm 95:1-2)—it's both a way of life and a particular activity. Our worship increases as we trust His sovereign love and care.

It shouldn't be unusual to break out in spontaneous praise (Psalm 9:9-10; Psalm 34:1-4; Isaiah 57:15).

When was the last time you broke out in gratitude, worship, or praise to God?

If it's a struggle, what unhealthy or ungodly attitude is in the way? Can you give that to Jesus today?

Whenever you hear the words "tested positive," use it to spur you on to REMEMBER how God increases your hope, joy, and optimism in Him.

How will YOU "Test Positive" in the Lord?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for women's teacher and revivalist, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, at Revive Our Hearts, a blogger at TrueWoman.com, writes wiki-type posts at  Christianity.com, and is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Women Helping Women during the Panedmic

Julie Sanders has the most amazing, compassionate heart. In this Ministry UPGRADE, she encourages women to reach out to those suffering from the consequences of COVID-19. She shares examples of women who are already sharing hope in Christ. "After ten days of isolation, my world felt small," Julie says. "A positive diagnosis sequestered me until my fever passed and I emerged to catch up on national and global news."

I (Dawn) sometimes wonder if we should watch the news with more of an eye to how God might want us to be His heart and hands reaching out to help. I think Julie has captured this idea perfectly.

Julie continues . . .

The steady stream of conflict tempts us to turn away. Do you want to hunker down until the storm passes?

Travel limitations keep us inside our borders, but this year we opened our eyes and hearts to something we can’t un-know:  the needs of the world.

This awareness turns our hearts to women a lot like us, with trials a lot like ours. God has a purpose in connecting women around the globe.

What might we learn about these women and God's purposes for them?

1. Women are weeping

In my work with women globally, I hear reports from women grieving impacts of the coronavirus.

Women like Esther in Southeast Asia who are wired to be nurturers and caregivers. It prompted Esther to get creative teaching under a tree.

For those with sick family, this season of supporting medical needs has taken a toll. In poor and wealthy countries alike, efforts to keep children learning while isolating at home led to higher rates of stress and domestic violence. Families supported by day workers in under-developed nations have suffered financially, resulting in rising poverty levels.

This increases risks leading to child trafficking and exploitation.

The worldwide pandemic has crushed the spirits of many women fighting for the health, well-being, and lives of loved ones.

The same God who commissioned Eve as “the mother of all the living,” (Genesis 3:20) understands the pain of the women of the world.

As our example of caring for the hurting,

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted  and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).

Whether a woman calls a hut, a yurt, a condo, or cabin her home, the global sisterhood of women weeps under similar burdens, and God hears them.

2. God is using women

As He has throughout history when hardship shakes the world, God is using women to care for others in His name.

Women like Luba and Holly keep pregnancy centers open to serve mothers facing unexpected pregnancies in the confusion of COVID-19. While they could be tempted to give in to fear and care only for their own families, they’re rising up to care for others.

Grandmothers, mothers, and young women are serving the sick, making tea for immigrants, preparing relief packages, and taking blankets to the elderly.

God is using girlfriends globally to bring help where the hardships of this year have snuffed out hope.

In organizations like The Apple of God’s Eye, women once rescued from exploitation have faithfully worked to restore wounded children every day of the pandemic.

Around the world in a kaleidoscope of languages and cultures, Proverbs 31-style women are staying up late, getting up early, making resources stretch, making sure household needs are met. They open their hands to the poor and reach out [their] hands to the needy (Prov. 31:20).

In countless nations and tribes in this time of disease, it can be said of God’s daughters,

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come (Prov. 31:25).

The world may be bending beneath the burden of the Pandemic, but women are rising up in God’s name.

3, Women are finding hope

Not every woman has the hope of Christ for her future in this world. For the first time, some women are crying out and learning God loves them as they receive gospel truth with gifts of food, medical care, and kindness.

Disheartened students, worried mothers, and lonely grandmas are open to spiritual truths because of the coronavirus we share. Through common troubles around the globe, God is moving in the hearts of women.

In one region where females are viewed with little worth, eight courageous women took a risk during this time to be trained to serve others with hope in desperate times.

In hospitals and homes where women weep for the isolation and illness of the Pandemic, The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth (Psalm 145:18).

God is moving through women who have hope to reach those who have none.

Every woman experiences her own reasons to weep during COVID-19.

It’s tempting to hunker down at home. But rise up. God is using women who love Him and love other women to reach women waiting for hope.  

4 Steps to Take from Home

• Learn about the needs of women locally.
• Explore the needs of women globally.
• Pray for the needs of women cross-culturally.
• Help in the gospel work women are doing.

What are you experiencing that connects you to women in other cultures? How has God blessed you with hope to help women who have yet to have that hope?

Julie Sanders loves uplifting leaders globally. She finds joy in helping women listen and learn cross-culturally from one another and, most of all, from God’s truth for life in every land. She’s the author of The ABCs of Praying for Students. Julie calls the Northwest home and writes from her online base at juliesanders.org.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Engin Akyurt at Pixabay.

COVID Came Calling

Author and caregiver Sally Ferguson has grown in her faith in God since the coronavirus changed so many lives in America. In this Spiritual Life UPGRADE, she tells her story and the scriptures that helped her through a difficult year—scriptures that can help us too.

"When COVID came knocking at my door," Sally said, "I was unprepared for how it would turn my life upside down."

I (Dawn) don't think any of us knew how our cirumstances would seem to spiral out of control during the pandemic; but almost everyone I've discussed that with admits God taught us important lessons in our struggles.

We will never be the same; and in some ways, that's a good thing—as Sally explains.

Sally continues . . .

Our family had taken the necessary precautions and followed guidelines for safety. Yet, ten months into the lockdown, not one, not two, but five members of my immediate family tested positive for the coronavirus.

For the most part, I felt I had adjusted to the changes COVID-19 brought to our country and to our county.

I’m an introvert, so I loved being home more, and took online workshops. I made more phone calls to stay connected with my small groups, and checked in with my extrovert friends to see how they were faring.

However, April dawned with attending our daughter’s wedding via Zoom.

• I watched my husband weep at not being able to walk his daughter down the aisle.
• I mourned not being able to assist her preparations.
• The reception in our home state was postponed twice, and then put on hold indefinitely.

In August, elective surgeries were again allowed, and Hubby flew to Florida to help his parents while his dad recuperated from shoulder surgery.

September 8 his mom fell and fractured her back. What followed can only be seen as a bizarre set of events.

The COVID-19 lockdown prohibited visits to her in rehab, where she entered the barren corridors of dementia. She was released only as a shell of her former self.

Hubby came home and I made the trek to Florida to help with her care.

In November, our family packed up my in-laws’ home and moved them north so they could be close by for assistance.

December 21, my father—also in our care—was taken to the hospital with stroke-like symptoms, where he was diagnosed with COVID-19. One week later, my hubby and his dad went to the ER and tested positive.

On January 7, my father-in-law passed away in the hospital.

Why have I shared the events of my COVID-year?

Not because my story is unique. At this time, over 400,000 deaths have occurred in the United States from the coronavirus.

I went into some of the details of our lives because I want to share the most important point.

I have learned through the worst of times that God is faithful.

God never deserts His own.

When I ponder how we will continue to care for my mom-in-love and for my dad, I often wonder how we will keep it up.

But, God.

He gives us strength for today, and tomorrow will do the same.

Now, if I could just tape that to my forehead, it might be a daily reminder. I get into trouble when I try to figure it all out by myself.

What verses would I recommend to a fellow traveler on this road of suffering?

1. Isaiah 40:11 — The Lord will hold me close. He will carry me.
2. Isaiah 40:27 — God knows. He cares.
3. Philippians 1:29 —It is a gift to believe and to suffer. Yes, even in caregiving, because, “If you’ve done it for the least, you’ve done it for Me” (Matthew 25:40).
4. Psalm 66:12, 20 — We went through fire, but God has not withheld His love from us.
5. Psalm 73:16-17 — I am overwhelmed when I try to understand why COVID hit our family. God grants me perspective, knowing He is still in control.
6. Psalm 18:16-19 — Our enemy launched an attack on us, but God is our Rescuer and our support.
7. Psalm 22:24 — God does not turn away from suffering.

Have your circumstances brought despair? It may not be COVID-caused, but we can all relate to hardship in this year of change and uncertainty.

Hang on to hope in the God who sees you (Genesis 16:13) and is fighting for you (Deuteronomy 1:29-31).

• May He usher you into His sanctuary for refuge and renewal (Psalm 40:1-3).
• May He take your breath away in awe of His power over the things that leave you feeling powerless (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• And, may you stand confident in knowing you are never alone (Hebrews 13:5).

How will you seek the Lord’s comfort in your turmoil? Will suffering draw you closer to God, or will it put a wedge between you? How will that define your response to Romans 8:35-39?

Sally Ferguson is a caregiver for her mom-in-love, her dad, and her grands, and writing a Bible study for caregivers. She lives in western New York with her hubby of 33 years. Look for her words at EzineArticles, AlmostAnAuthor, Upgrade with Dawn, Amazon and sallyferguson.net.

Graphic adapted, created by Wirestock, courtesy of www.Freepik.com.

Upgrades from COVID-19

Cathy Horning has a tender heart toward the Lord, receptive to His voice and eager to respond with trust and obedience. In this Spiritual Life UPGRADE, she writes about how she prays the Lord will transform her life because of the coronavirus.

“At the writing of this post,” Cathy says, “our beloved California is waiting on edge for the surge of COVID-19.”

Like many other Christ-followers, I (Dawn) have been contemplating the changes God might want to make in my life as the crisis of the coronavirus passes. Cathy encourages us to make those thoughts more concrete through prayer and intentional choices.

Cathy continues . . .

By the time you read this, hopefully, we will have passed the crisis, and life as we knew it will begin to get back to normal.

Although, my prayer is that we will never be normal again.

COVID-19 took most of us by surprise. It turned our lives upside down, at best, as it devastated hundreds of thousands, at its worst.

To be honest, besides the fear of sickness and death, finances and what the future would hold, my family was part of the population who were merely inconvenienced by the stay-at-home, shelter-in-place, six-foot-separation quarantine that our leaders ordered.

However besides their disruption to my days, these restrictions revealed a lot about my character, my spiritual condition, as well as how unprepared I was.

My prayer is that once the constraints are lifted and our freedoms are restored, my life will have been upgraded by the COVID-19 Refiner’s fire.

I hope I will be:

• Less set in my familiar and comfortable ways,
• More Christ-like in my attitude and actions, and
• More prepared and fully equipped for future curve-balls, crises and trials that will come our way.   

1. I want to be MORE GRATEFUL.

I hope I will never again take for granted everyday conveniences like stocked grocery store shelves, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, toilet paper and the people who make it readily available for us all.

I never again want to assume I will always have the freedom of hugs, coffee shop visits, and family times and outings.

2. I want to be A WILLING SERVANT.

Being stuck at home revealed to me how selfish I am, and how rigid my routine.

I want to be willing to serve others, as if I was serving Jesus Himself, in big ways and small ones, in the comfortable and, especially, in the uncomfortable and inconvenient.

I don’t want to grumble and complain that I must cook and clean more, because there are people at home—all the time—to take care of.

3. I want to be MORE PREPARED and PROACTIVE.

I intend to be more conscientious about and purposeful to not shut out the needs of others, which I realized can happen tucked away safely in the cocoon of my own world.

I will strive to be more connected with my neighbors, to reach out to those in need, and to be aware of and available to help those who are homebound, sick, or hurting.

I pray to walk so closely with Jesus that I can be used to meet the unspoken and unmet needs of others. 

When life returns to normal, I pray there will be an upgrade in my life.

What do I want to see?

• I don’t want to be haphazard and wasteful.
• I don’t want to be resentful or disgruntled when I’m asked to serve in inconvenient ways, times and places.
• And, I don’t want to close my eyes to or look away from others' needs.
• I don’t want to hang my hope and trust in everything working well or going right or staying the same. Nor do I want to live in fear. Instead, I will live my life filled with faith, led by the Spirit, and more prepared and purposeful to share my faith and my life.

Luke 12:35-37, 42-44 (TPT) says,

'Be prepared for action at a moment’s notice. Be like the servants who anticipate their master’s return…They are ready to unlock and open the door for him at a moment’s notice. What great joy is ahead for the awakened ones who are waiting for the Master’s return!...

A trustworthy and thoughtful manager who understands the ways of his master will be given a ministry of responsibility in his master’s house, serving others exactly what they need at just the right time. And when the master returns, he will find that his servant has served him well. I can promise you, he will be given a great reward and will be placed as an overseer of everything the master owns.'

Today, and every day—disaster or not—I hope and pray my upgrades from COVID-19 are that:

• I will be more grateful;
• I will be a willing servant; and
• I will be prepared and proactive.  

What upgrade has COVID-19 made in your life?

Cathy Horning has been a women’s ministry leader, Bible Study teacher, speaker and writer for almost three decades. She loves the Word of God. Nothing brings her greater joy than encouraging women how to walk in God's ways. Cathy is a popular speaker, blogger and writer, as well as a beloved wife to her husband of 37 years, mom to four, grammy to 13, and spiritual mom to many. She is the author of Letters from a Mother's Heart—Timeless Truths from One Mom's Journey. Read more about her on her website.

Graphic, "Thank You," courtesy of Chrystal Elizabeth at Pixabay.