How often I have written this verse from Proverbs in my devotions and now it has really been applied to me: "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand" (Proverbs 19:21). I wrote this devotion yesterday to share what I have been going through lately, and guess what? It disappeared after I sent it out...just another plan that God intercepted for His purpose. So I will relay to you, once again, what has been happening over the last few weeks.
As many of my readers know, I had planned on having a full knee replacement this next week after injuring my partially replaced knee. It was not the news I wanted to hear, but if I can alleviate the pain it is worth it. I began the pre-op testing required thinking it would be smooth sailing. Then my chest x-ray came back showing an opacity in my right lung. This required a trip to my pulmonologist who ordered a CT scan. After reviewing the results, he decided to try a week of antibiotic treatment and a follow up x-ray as he thought it might be an infection.
In the meantime, I went to my cardiologist who told me she could not clear me unless I would go through a chemical stress test which I completed two days ago. The results were abnormal as they usually are for me so she insisted I undergo a heart catheterization. Of course, this meant further delays in my surgery till this was done, but it is best to be safe than sorry. An appointment has been made for me to see the interventional cardiologist next week and I will hopefully get the catheterization done sooner rather than later.
After concluding my antibiotic treatment and x-ray, my pulmonologist called me with the news that the area of opacity had gotten smaller, therefore, he wanted me to continue antibiotic treatment for four more days. Once I have the heart catheterization and wait a week, I will return to him for another chest x-ray to see if it is all cleared up. Whew! Are you tired of reading this yet? I have been the most frustrated person, and basically I wanted to sit down and cry. All I wanted to do was have knee surgery so I could enjoy walking again!
Then my dear husband reminded me that both of us had been praying for God's wisdom in this whole process. James 1:5 promises: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." When we pray, we can expect God to answer. I just didn't like the answer very much with all these interruptions for further tests to be done. Then I remembered what my husband had said to me that maybe there was some unforeseen problems ahead that only the Lord could see. After all, doesn't the Bible tell us that He works all things together for our good? Romans 8:28 reminds us: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." He is the potter and we are the clay. We cannot tell our Creator how things should be done. We must learn to trust Him through this process. Besides, in this circumstance, I asked for His wisdom and He gave it!
As I have reflected on all the roadblocks, I recalled a Psalm that my mother loved and brought her comfort. A beautiful musical rendition of this verse has also been recorded and it comforts my heart. Psalm 32:7-11 reads: "7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. 10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. 11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!" Just reading that makes me go "Ouch" since I can sometimes be like a mule in my desire for my plans to go forward. Can you relate?
I have also found comfort by praying Psalm 23 each day...especially the first three verses: The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name sake." Those words should bring comfort to all of our hearts when we hit snags, trials, roadblocks! It certainly comforts me at this time.
We all know that we have not been promised a life free of tribulation. Yet, somehow, we think we will be the exception to the rule. God has told us to praise Him in all things for this is His will for us as believers (1 Thessalonians 5:18). No one said it would be easy to do that, but we know that sorrow makes the heart heavy and praise to God lifts it up!
I shared all these personal details in my life not to put me at the center of attention but because I know there are others out there who need comfort from these words I have written. Perhaps you have been facing some frustrating events in your life as well and need encouragement from the Lord. He is there for us and you are not alone. Let me know if I can pray for you in any way, and please keep me in your prayers as I walk through this time in my life. This is why we have one another that we might build each other up in the faith. May God receive all the glory in what I have shared today and may you be blessed! Selah!
No comments:
Post a Comment