Long ago
God spoke in many different ways to our fathers
through
the prophets, in visions, dreams, and even face to face,
telling
them little by little about his plans.
~ Hebrews 1:1 TLB
“Hope
Beats Fear” is the title of an article I wrote about my personal struggle
coping with cancer that was published in the February 2014 issue of the Canadian Messenger. The goal of this
monthly magazine was to help readers with their daily Christian living. This
article was one of several articles and short stories that I was fortunate to
have published in this magazine.
When
I first received my devastating cancer diagnosis, I felt a deep sense of fear. My
reason for sharing my story with others facing this kind of fear was to speak
to them about the comfort I experienced when I placed myself in God’s hands and
refused to let my fear evaporate my hope and erode my faith. Therefore, it was
extremely gratifying when I received this comment from the magazine’s associate
editor: “…one of the most uplifting articles I have ever read.”
For we are
not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word,
but as men
of sincerity, as commissioned by God,
in the
sight of God we speak in Christ.
~ 2 Corinthians 2:17 ESV
God
made me a writer. As a Christian, I believe He has called me to use my gift
with words to serve Him and minister to others. God intends me to use my
creativity not only as a means of self-expression, but also as a way to speak
to others about Him and His Word, so they might come to know Him and develop a
relationship with Him. He wants me to bear witness to the marvelous things He has
done and is doing in my life. Like the fishermen He called to be His apostles,
God calls ordinary people like me to share our stories and our faith as a form
of Christian ministry.
Declare
his glory among the nations,
His
marvelous works among all the peoples!
~ Psalm
96:3
In
today’s high-tech world, God has opened up countless opportunities to witness
to people around the globe. We no longer have to rely on someone else to
publish our words. For a while now, the Holy Spirit has been urging me to write
and self-publish my work in books and ebooks, in online newsletters and magazines,
and on my own and others’ blogs or websites. Consequently, I’ve been
researching how to set up my own blog/website, commenting more on other’s blogs,
and considering joining social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. But I’ve wavered
due to my fears about having an online voice. Internet trolls love to tear down
others rather than lift them up. I need to keep reminding myself that my focus
is to share God’s love, not to receive “likes” on Facebook.
Therefore
encourage one another
and build
each other up,
just as
you are doing.
~ 1 Thessalonians
5:11
So,
once again, I must place myself in God’s hands and refuse to let my fear
override my hope. God knows there is plenty of trouble and suffering in this world (John
16:33), so He calls on us to encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13). I don’t
need a theological degree to witness for Christ. The gospel message is simple:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). I only need to pray
for the Holy Spirit to speak to me; to guide me to the right words and scriptures
at the right time. Therefore, I’ll continue to use my gift to the best of my
ability and rely on God to take care of the rest.
Images:
Pixabay
