He proposed! She accepted! The ring was classic, yellow-gold paired with a simple stone from his grandmother’s setting. It reflected the beauty of his bride-to-be. She had a flawless ivory complexion and a captivating smile. Her blonde tresses flowed effortlessly to her waist. Sophia was slender and gracefully sculpted. Joyful engagement photos were taken. Save-the-date cards were sent. With her mom by her side, she said YES to the perfect dress!

Her fiancé was filled with faith. She met Daniel her first week of college. When he shared his testimony, she instantly began to fall in love. He was a math major with a scruffy, full beard. He loved Sophia and the great outdoors. She was so happy. It seemed a perfect match…then the diagnosis came.

L-u-p-u-s. Five letters that injected four letters into Daniel’s heart.

F-e-a-r. Four letters that lead to a broken engagement. And then to five more letters, that pierced deeper than any needle Sophia had ever known.

A-l-o-n-e. She felt alone.

You may not have encountered lupus, but what injects fear into your veins? Fear is a feeling…a normal response when we face the unknown, especially when we face the unknown alone. Sometimes life is lonely, and it hurts! Jesus knew this. So before He left this Earth, He told us in John 14:26-27 that we’ll always have a Friend and Companion:

“I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.”

He is the light of the world (John 8:12) and with Him at my side the darkness of fear must flee…like darkness when the light switch is flipped on. He promises that He will help me with whatever hard things I may have to face when the time comes. It’s a moment-by-moment, step- by-step challenge to walk in faith. Fear is a feeling…a natural feeling innate to our flesh. I choose to walk by faith not by a feeling. By faith I can be a warrior not a worrier! You can be too.

Fiancés may flee from fear, but our Friend is always faithful. And there is hope. The first new drug in fifty years has just been approved for the treatment of lupus. We’ve had the treatment for fear for years. Philippians 4:6-7 is fear’s antidote:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

A gown but no groom