Articles
The Right Physician for the Right Cure
A very troubled man walked into the office of a psychiatrist. “Doc,” he said, “I’ve got big trouble. Every time I get into bed, I'm afraid there’s somebody under it. So I get under the bed. Then, I start to get afraid that maybe now there's somebody in my bed. So then I get back in the bed. Then before long I'm back under it. I’m in that bed and under that bed a hundred times a night! You gotta help me, I’m afraid all night long!”
“Not to worry. You've come to the right man.” said the psychiatrist. “Come see me three times a week for a year and I guarantee to cure your fears.”
“And what’s that gonna set me back, Doc?”
“Only a paltry hundred dollars per visit.” replied the doctor.
“Let me think about and I’ll get back to you, Doc,” said the man.
A few months later the psychiatrist ran into the man on the street. “You never came back to see me? Why? Don‘t you want to be cured?” asked the psychiatrist.
“At a hundred bucks a pop? Sorry, couldn’t swing it, Doc. Besides, a friend cured me for just ten dollars.”
“That’s not possible! Your friend can’t have my education, my experience, my facilities…”
“Yeah, that’s right, Doc. But he’s got a ten dollar saw and he just cut the legs off my bed! Fixed me right up.”
I reckon that proves some fears are easier (or at least cheaper) to overcome than others. Most of us, though, have fears that just don’t fix that easily— fear of dying, fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of losing someone we love, fear of not having help when we need it the most, fear of disappointing others, fear of being alone, and so on (and on and on).
You only have to be a casual reader of the Bible to see that fear didn’t come along just in time for those of us in the 21st century to enjoy. It’s been around for a long, long time. Phrases such as, “shall not be afraid”, “will not be afraid”, “do not be afraid!” etc appear over and over in the Bible. (Exodus 20:20, 2 Kings 1:15, Psalm 49:16, Proverbs 3:25, Isaiah 44:8, Jeremiah 42:11,Matthew 14:27, Matthew 28:5, Acts 27:24, Hebrews 13:6, Revelation 1:17, just to name a few) These and similar phrases were spoken at different times under different circumstances, but one thing always stands out in stark contrast to fear in the Bible.
On one occasion, Jesus spoke the words, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” (Mark 5:36, Luke 8:50) As we read and study our Bibles, it becomes apparent that the more our faith increases, the less room we'll have for fear. Sometimes we fail to realize that some of our struggles with fear run parallel with struggles concerning our faith.
Whatever fears you’re dealing with today, chances are pretty good you can find relief in these words of our Lord.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27 NKJV)
As a bonus, The Great Physician doesn’t charge His patients and we don't have to have an appointment to come to Him.
And may all of us truly find the peace that only He can offer.
