From Little Pilgrim

Can a kind Pal please post these thoughts for me? Thank you!I was recently reading a book my mom got around the time my dad was diagnosed with cancer. It is called “A More Excellent Way”, and is about the spiritual root of diseases and illnesses. Once I picked it up and began reading it (right in the middle of the book, it is too boring in my opinion to ever start at the beginning of the book, I have to preview it from the middle or end first), I could not put it down. I discovered that just about all my health problems I’ve had are from one problem: fear, anxiety, and stress. Sure, those are three words, but they are the same problem. I am afraid, as I have found out since reading this new and profound thought. I stopped and took notice…I am afraid that someone will get upset because I didn’t do something right, afraid I will be late, afraid I am not doing my best, afraid of the future, anxious over my past, stressed over the present. And yet, if you knew me like my neighbours do, who see my every day, you would never know that! You would know me as the cheery, optimistic, sunshine-y girl everyone knows around here. And I am not bragging or anything-- that is the truth! I always have made it a point to be optimistic and sunny around others, because everyone seems so dreary and pessimistic. Of course, I serve a Living Saviour, and He makes the biggest difference in my life, but I still was a slave to fear. I always round the corners carefully in the woods, hate going out after dark, and am always fearful of injuring my left knee (which I did the other week after slipping on ice while walking alone, but that’s a different story!). Would you like to know something funny? I can quote you all those verses on perfect love casting out fear, we have been given a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, etc. I write them all the time in letters to my friends and others. I can say them all by heart…but then try living it out! So right away I challenged myself…to walk in FAITH and LOVE, not FEAR! I started by relaxing in a nice bath and I gave all my fears, worries, and anxieties to God. I said over and over, “There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” I slept amazingly. I awoke and repeated the verses and asked God to help me with my day of love. Every time I felt that tightening and tensing in my body as a fear came over me, I said those verses again. I had such a great day, I cannot even begin to describe the amazing difference it made. Today I feel a little restless, and to be honest, I have hardly repeated those verses today. But there is plenty of time to change, and tomorrow is a brand new day. My challenge to my fellow Pals is to walk in love, power, and a sound mind, and cast off fear, anxiety, and stress. Whenever one of those evils threatens to take over, give it the Word of God, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword. Oh, and if you can find that life-changing book, by Pastor Henry Wright, I encourage you to read it. You won’t see things the same. It is all medically-sound (with medical studies to back it), and grounded thoroughly in the Bible.Love and Prayers,Lil Pilgrim Pal, walking in faith and love ;)
February 17, 2008 9:10 PM