Original artwork by Carl Larson
When We Are Sick and Fearful
by Stephen Van Nattan
You have been having a hard time getting your breath for some time. Finally, you go to a specialist who does tests. The verdict is that you have a malignant growth in your lungs, and you have three to four weeks to prepare to die.
This is the experience of a good friend from a Bible study I teach. What will I tell her from God's Word to try to help her deal with fear of dying?
And, let me hear no pious rubbish talk about the Christian not fearing death. God gave us fear to help us stay alive and avoid danger. We certainly have hope regarding eternity, but the physical, mental, and emotional experience of walking out the back door of this life is fearful. The way to deal with this fear is to seek comfort in our Bible and our Lord who showed us how to die.
Thus:
Here are some Bible verses to bring comfort and encouragement to those who are sick and fearful:
𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗱’𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗱’𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴
Jeremiah 30:17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord.
Psalm 103:2-3 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.
James 5:14-15 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.
𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗱
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Psalm 56:3-4 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.
𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
May these Scriptures provide comfort and remind those who are sick and fearful of God's love, power, and presence.
Do you know someone who needs to read these Bible texts?
