"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." This passage is so powerful to me right now and my present circumstances. I'm afraid surgery is imminent and it's the kind of surgery that can shift one's life forever. It's not a bad shift necessarily; however, it is final and it's not a decision to make lightly or without God.
My OCD gets really loud during difficult times and it's an easy thing for Satan to use against me. I'm going to start interrupting those lies with, "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
I have hope that this surgery will improve mine and my family's lives. I have hope that being better physically may lead to more spiritual work for The Kingdom getting done. The hope of being able to cancel plans because of my social anxiety again instead of my uterus. I have hope for an eternity without pain and without suffering or sickness or anxiety. "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
These kinds of applications can be easy to accept when they apply to others and not so easy when it applies to one's self. Well, at least for me. I think there is a lot of wisdom in being patient especially during unpredictable and scary times. When you're prone to anxiety it can be easy to get very overwhelmed very quickly and make rash decisions. During these times it's essential that we take a deep breath, step back, and remind ourselves to Whom we belong and that He makes all things work together for good!
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:26-28 ESV
I think there are times in our lives when we get to understand a little more deeply just how much God truly loves us. He wants us to be constant in prayer. He wants us to come to Him with everything in our lives, and why wouldn't we? Like sheep without their shepherd, we would be lost without God guiding our lives.
"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:3-4 ESV"
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 5:6-11 ESV
-E.B.
