Fear vs. Focus

I walk funny. It’s not an arrogant stride or a sexy swagger. It may turn heads, but not in the cool way. It’s a slight limp/stiff back/weird wobble type of stride. Don’t get me started on what my so called run/jog looks like. Add to that my often apparent lack of grace at times … I will trip over a flat surface, run into walls (that appear out of nowhere), and seem to always end up with the wobbly chair. Yep, like Maxwell Smart is the smooth spy, I am the smooth operator of life.

Now don’t get me wrong, I have an excuse or two. Spinal issue, a couple of car wrecks (not my fault), the way I sat as a kid (momma said it would come back to me), or a work injury in my college days. Pick one or all. And I will take walking funny as opposed to what I feared one day years ago.

Why go into this? Here’s why – there was one day years ago. It was shortly after my work injury. I woke up early in the morning and was paralyzed. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t feel anything below my neck. I literally laid on my back and began to panic.

I had great fear, I mean GREAT fear. Images popped into my head – wheel chair, lifetime paralysis, and worse. I screamed.

Maybe, this is what the disciples felt spiritually that weekend Jesus was in the tomb. Maybe this is what Peter felt after denying Christ. Could this be the emotional equivalent of what Paul felt after being blinded on the road to Damascus?

Fear … it paralyzes, it harms our health, and even leads to premature aging.

So the key – refocus. It’s not about getting distracted from our fears, but focusing on something that is greater. Hebrews 12 tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus, for He is the one who started us on our journey and He is the same one who will get us through it.

We can trust Him. He is worthy, and He is greater.

Back to my story. I screamed. But then I closed my eyes and prayed. I focused on Him. My paralysis didn’t disappear (well it did, but not instantaneously). But I lay there and I was at peace. Never walk again – that’s okay, wheelchair – God’s got me, whatever comes – He can handle it.

COVID19 got you down? He’s bigger. Job on the line? He’s got a plan. Health scare? Nothing He can’t get you through.

Like 2 Kings 6, we need to just pray to have our eyes open so we can see what God already has in place all around us. from ‘oh no, what shall we do?’ To ‘Wow!’ Don’t panic – just change your perspective.

So don’t fear, just change your focus.