This unkind visitor showed up unannounced, no tweet, message, phone call or e-mail. Temperature 102.5, muscle aches, sinus congestion tormenting my body, allowing me little sleep despite the pain and fever relievers.
Through the long hours and days of the flu, I rested in God’s presence and comfort a whole lot more than when I’m well. Thoughts of self-sufficiency were replaced with the assurance of a very real God throughout the difficult week.
Reading Brian Johnson’s book “When God Becomes Real,” helped pass the time. I pondered the reality of Brian’s emotional and physical illness intersecting with God’s very real healing presence.
After experiencing debilitating anxiety attacks from the age of 7 into his early adult years, Brian learned how worship ushered in the Presence of God and pushed the panic away.
Now as an adult, Brian built a successful music label with his wife, and wrote award-winning songs and albums. He was at the height of his success, and from all appearances, things were better than ever. But in the midst of that success, the ghost of his childhood anxiety returned, stronger than ever, and it pulled Brian into a downward spiral of chaos and darkness.
In the year that would follow, Brian came to experience the ultimate power of surrendering the panic and chaos to God. Brian’s healing brought healthier and happier relationships, freedom from many burdens but most of all a deeper intimacy with God.
Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. (NLT: James 4: 8) When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor. (NLT: James 4: 10 – 11)