Trusting God when life is going smoothly is easy to do but when the waves pick up, for some reason, trusting God feels like it becomes harder to do. Is it because we feel like we are losing control of certain aspects of our life or have we not fully learned to trust God? During times like this it is easy for doubts and fears to begin to creep into our mind and our heart. Doubt is like a ball of yarn that has been knocked down and is unraveling at a fast pace. All that it takes is a sliver of doubt or fear to enter our mind to set off a chain reaction. When our heart and our mind is not firmly grounded in The Word it is easy for doubts or fears to run rampant.  When doubt or fear begins to enter our mind we need to take that thought captive and give it to God (2 Corinthians 10: 5). Then allow God to replace that doubt or fear with His promises and allow Him to comfort us. One thing I have found helpful in this area is that when a condemning thought, fear, or doubt enters my mind is to recognize the thought for what it is, give it to God, then immediately begin to pray for someone else or turn my thoughts towards things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable or anything that is praiseworthy (Philippians 4: 8).

Almost eight weeks ago, I personally had this put to the test for me in my faith journey. It was a period of trusting God that was different than what I’d been through before. It was a time of releasing unfounded fears to Him and believing in His promises. Eight weeks ago, we discovered, one could say by accident but more likely by divine providence through the wisdom of an Urgent Care doctor, that I had what appeared to be polyps (initially gallstones but after further testing polyps) on my gallbladder. Prior to this visit, I had no idea I was having a health issue so this came as a complete shock to both Peter and myself. When I received word of this diagnosis, I immediately prayed and told God “I’m not sure I can handle this.” But, before I could even finish this prayer I heard God say to me “Can you trust me in this?” WOW, what calming words that I needed to hear in that moment and then continue to remind myself of over the next few weeks. During those weeks, I felt many emotions and also felt very vulnerable, but God’s presence was with me and was felt in a very real way. God provided opportunities throughout this for me to grow in my faith. God gave me friends and new friends to share what I was struggling with, who prayed with me and walked along side me. Above all, God promises to never leave us nor forsake us. We are praising God that what appeared to be polyps in my gallbladder were not polyps. In fact, the surgeon is not too sure what was showing up in all of the tests because there wasn’t anything that could represent polyps or gallstones in my gallbladder. Although, we did find out that my gallbladder had been having issues, was covered with scar tissue and definitely needed removed. We praise God for the wisdom of the surgeon, God’s protection and care, and His timing. It is now six weeks from my surgery and we are praising God that I am recovered and feeling better than I have in a while! Thank you everyone for the prayers. 

God is constantly taking care of us, His precious children, no matter what circumstances we are going through.  When life is good, He is there. When life is rough, He is there too. Always the same, He never changes.  What a beautiful, comforting promise to find peace in. We can also find peace in knowing that whatever or where ever God brings us to or through that He knows all about it and that He WILL bring us through it. God’s grace is sufficient for all.

 “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” Proverbs 30:5 (NIV)