God is with you–in waiting rooms, exam rooms–wherever you may be. How easy it is to forget God is with you when worry overcomes us!
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
I’m facing a challenge that under ordinary circumstances would rattle me. But now I am downright scared and discouraged. I have previously faced it with my sons but this time have a body that is not working properly which adds additional stress–my 14-year-old daughter will have four-hour knee surgery soon.
As a mom, all I want to do is be there to comfort. It will be an outpatient procedure and we will be at the hospital all day. I haven’t been in one place that long, except resting, since realizing sitting or standing too long produces symptoms.
It is at these moments when I get most frustrated at my illness. I just want a body that works. I don’t want to have to think about how to survive a day without passing out. I’m getting accustomed to manipulating my environment to allow myself to participate in activities, but this hospital stay will challenge me.
So what do I do? Well for about two weeks I walked around angry, but prayed. Then I opened the Bible and this is what I found:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
God is with you. God is with me. You mean God is going to be with me in the waiting room?
What a comfort to think that. It made me realize I need to get prepared for the day and then trust that things will work out. So I have a plan; I’ll do what I can to conserve my energy, stay hydrated, and pray. If I need to leave there will be someone on call to take me home.
And we will trust in the Lord that things will turn out alright for our daughter.
Prayer: Dear Lord: Thank You for enveloping me in the peace and calmness of Your Word. Please help others who are facing life’s struggles to find courage to face their challenges and experience the peace that comes with the knowledge that You are always by their side. Amen.
About the author:
Laura Seil Ruszczyk lives in New York with her husband and three kids. She recently retired from her job as an elementary school counselor. She is writing a book about her struggles with dysautonomia _ a neurological condition in which the autonomic nervous system breaks, affected such things as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and temperature regulation.
Her daughter’s surgery was a success and Ruszczyk was able to stay at the hospital for the entire day.
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Do you know with your head that God is with you, but sometimes forget with your heart how God is with you? How do you find the strength to handle a challenge that seems mountainous? Does knowing God is with you make a difference in your concerns?
Wondering if God is with you? He is! Faith Evans sings in this song, “Troubled World,” that despite our troubled world, God is always with us. Can’t see the video in your email? Click the title of the devotional to go to our website to see the video.
Thank you so much Laura! Your words uplift me and give me hope and remind me of God’s promises. My oldest son is going in for his wisdom teeth extraction soon and it will be his first surgery. As I’ve been sick with complications of fibro, I’ve been worried about him and myself to how I’m going to handle this procedure and my own chronic illness. I’m so grateful that you write devotions and encourage others. Thank you for your words today. Now I can hold onto God’s promises and be strong in what he has promised.
Christina, Thank you for the comment. God bless you and your son as you embark on his wisdom tooth extraction. That brings back a memory _ when I was 17, my two friends and I each had our wisdom teeth out. The night before each surgery we would take each other out for ice cream and make each other laugh before the big day. We called it the “wisdom tooth of the week club” and it was a lot of fun.
Praying your body cooperates Christina and God provides you the strength needed for your son’s surgery. Blessings. Laura
Laura – God showed up and “showed off” by bringing both you and your daughter through this experience. But first you had to let Him be in charge and you did that when He gifted you with the Scripture. Your experience is an encouragement to the rest of us as we face anxieties about upcoming events whether related to family or in our own treatments and wonderings. Thanks.
Lynn, I like the way you put that, God showed up and off. Blessings. Laura
Laura – thanks!
I have to give credit to a friend who prayed for me a couple of years ago when I was going in for some intense medical tests. She was on the phone and she made the prayer short and simple.
“Lord, we are expecting You to show up and show off!”
And God did!
Laura, thanks for sharing what you went through, what helped, how God spoke to you & what happened. This is so very encouraging!! What a gracious God. I’m VERY glad that all went well……no surprise really!
Lynn, I love that saying too!!
It reminds me of a friend we stayed with in the USA that often said “Well, it’s another bruised thigh day!” We had no idea what she meant until she demonstrated……she lifted her right leg, slapped it with her right hand, as she said “Good one God!” In the process she bruised her thigh….not really!! A little extreme, but we got what she meant & had a good laugh!! Yes, it was before I got ill!!
Lotsoluv Kerryn
Love the bruised thigh expression Kerryn. Thanks for sharing it. Laura