Sonshine for the Soul                                  March 12, 2010
 
Soon I'll be having an "anterior cervical fusion."  It's taken two and a half years to get to the point where I know it's time to have the procedure done.  I must say, it is a little daunting, the procedure itself.  I've heard it's the easier procedure, between that and a fusion of the lower spine, which I've had.
 
I had been feeling anxious and the Lord was sweet to remind me that I had to reason to feel that way.  He will be with me, holding me in His hands, as well as my surgeon and everyone else who has a hand in my care.  I KNOW I can have confidence in my Lord.
 
One thing I'd been doing was trying to visualize the word "anxious" and then the words "God's peace" in larger letters that would be superimposed over the word anxious.  It has truly been like that in the way I've been feeling.  It's one of those things that you just know is from God, though you can't explain what it really feels like.  The sweet thing is that other believers know exactly what I'm talking about.
 
You can face anything, with the Savior's help. You don't have to be afraid or anxious, no matter what you are facing.  In our flesh, we can feel like we are overwhelmed, like the world has come crashing in.  That's in our flesh, and we can be bound by those feelings, if we allow them to be our truth.  OR, we can have the "peace that passes understanding" (Philippians 4:7) and KNOW we are not alone, we don't have to figure out life all by ourselves.  Like the ad for an insurance company says, "We are in good hands." 
 
Did you realize we are never out of His hands.  He is always right there-the Lord can truly be with each of us individually, all at the same time.  I know that is one of those mysteries that we cannot comprehend, though it is nevertheless true.  That's how awesome our God is!
 
I wanted to share a few verses of Scripture with you.
 
1 Peter 5:7 "Cast ALL your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you."*
Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life..."
Matthew 6:27 "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
Matthew 6:33-34 "But first seek His kingdom and His righteousness... Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."
 
Though I don't know what will happen when I wake up in the recovery room, or how my recovery will be, I know I can trust my Lord and Savior, and no matter what happens, we can get through it together.  God is faithful.  He will never "leave you, nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5, Hebrews 11:3, NIV) That's the best place to be...in His hands.
 
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..." (Colossians 3:15)*
 
Know Jesus.  Know His peace!  In His love, Susan
 
*All Scripture is from the NIV version of the Bible.