This was the post:

Today was a mix of heart-wrenching and bliss, fear and victory. The full gamut of emotion. Life. Real, true, honest life. I don’t think, when it’s all said and done, I’d have it any other way.”

The reaction was a flood of concerned private messages and texts, many within seconds of posting.

I have to say that I felt extraordinarily loved, and while I’m truly grateful for that, and for the blessing of wonderfully caring friends and family, I’m also struck by how deeply we recoil at the two words that are culprits in this scenario.

Heart-wrenching.

Fear.

We run from them like the plague, but they are a very real part of everyday life. The thing is, we just don’t like to talk about them. They have a power over us that threatens to derail, devastate…destroy. So we pretend they’re not there to the outside world. We have a tendency to pretty things up, rosy-ing the glow of our lives until others don’t even need rose-colored glasses. And that’s why, last night, I scared Facebook half to death, because I said words that are pregnant with a reality we are not all that used to hearing.

I’m here to tell you, today, that we don’t have to let those words hold such sway in our lives. We were not given a spirit of fear, so we don’t have to allow ourselves to be held captive to it. However, we also shouldn’t neglect that it’s there because in the acceptance that it exists, and the heart-wrenching that we find within it, we can allow it to drive us to our Victory. Our Refuge. Our Overcoming Strength. We can experience the feelings and emotions as reminders that we can do ALL things – no matter what they are – in Christ.

I have a dear friend. I won’t mention her name here, because I don’t have permission for that, but yesterday she was given news of what appears to be a rapidly-growing malignancy. Her heart is broken and she’s afraid, and because of that, so am I.

I humbly ask that you would lift her up in prayer today, as the tumor is removed, believing with us that God will be glorified on the front end of this battle with the discovery of a benign tumor, instead. She, however, would just ask that, regardless of the outcome, that He be glorified, period. Because she knows her Jesus. She knows. And the knowing has propelled her, in her fear, to His feet…her victory.

I said it before, and I’ll say it again. This – all of it – is real, true, honest life. At the end of the day, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

“God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 AMP

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10 ESV

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NIV

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36 ESV