God’s Love
What do you do when the future you had planned is suddenly erased?
A person confronting a chronic illness may feel uncertain about the future. Their hopes and dreams may be placed on hold or have to be altered. They may feel hopeless and helpless. When they feel uncertain about the future, lead them to that perfect love which casts out all fear. Share the love of Jesus Christ.
What is a chronic illness? A chronic disease is one lasting three months or more, by the definition of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. Chronic diseases generally cannot be prevented by vaccines or cured by medication, nor do they just disappear.
Examples of chronic illnesses are:
- Alzheimer disease
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Glaucoma
- Heart Disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson disease
Bible Verse:
1 John 4:18 (KJV), “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
What the verse means:
- John says that perfect love produces courage in the day of judgment. Why?
- Perfect love produces likeness to Christ. Jesus Christ is the Judge.
- There is another way in which love produces boldness. It does this by its casting out fear.
- The entrance of perfect love through Jesus Christ is for fear a cease and desist letter to quit. A person cannot both love and fear the same person or thing. When perfect love comes in, the darker fear exits.
- When love arrives, it brings hand in hand with itself Courage.
- Boldness is the companion of love, only when love is perfect.
- Only professing Christians can experience this perfect love of God, a love that casts out fear.
- As Believer’s we can face the future, including a chronic illness, and even death with the peace that only comes from Christ’s perfect love.
Praying using the verses:
- Lord Jesus, thank you that there is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.
- Heavenly Father, help us to keep our minds focused on you and your love for us.
- Remove any fears we may have as we look to the future.
- Provide us with your grace to meet the challenges we encounter daily.
- Help us to know as Believers in Jesus Christ our ultimate future is in Heaven.
This blog is adapted from his book, “Prayers for the Chronically Ill: 60 Prayers” from The Bible Speaks on Life Issues Book One. You can learn more of the book series and purchase it at MORE INFO ABOUT SERIES.
