A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22 NIV)
Today’s Scripture may seem a little strange for me to write about given the present challenges in my life. Several months ago, quite unexpectedly, it was discovered that my husband, Bruce, had a birth defect in his heart. Until then, we knew nothing of this problem. It caught us completely by surprise and immediately changed our whole life. He has had some health issues for the past couple of years, but nothing that could be considered life-threatening…until now.
The only medical treatment for this problem is Valve Replacement Surgery (Open Heart Surgery). In short order, the Cardiologist placed Bruce on the waiting list for surgery. As his case was considered “Non Urgent,” the anticipated waiting period would be several months.
This entire situation struck fear in me like nothing else ever has. I had Brain Surgery ten years ago, but quite honestly, the fear that I experienced at the beginning of that journey was minor compared to the fear that this diagnosis for Bruce caused me.
Early on, I recall saying to Bruce “Where is God in all of this? I feel like He has left us.” Bruce’s response is one that I will never forget, “What makes you so sure that He isn’t working something out for us that we can’t see yet?”
WOW! His response shook me at my core. My fear had become greater than my faith. I had become focused on life’s circumstances instead of God, like Peter did in Matthew 14:30. When Peter remained focused on Jesus he was successfully able to walk on the water, but when his focus became his surroundings, he began to sink. That described me perfectly at the time.
I truly believe that God spoke to me that day through my husband. Somehow, Bruce’s words changed my entire outlook, and how I have been able to handle everything that has happened recently. I can’t tell you that I’ve never struggled with fear since then, because I have. For me, the difference has been that I look for God in these circumstances like I didn’t prior to that day.
Once my eyes were opened to God’s involvement in our situation, I was able to see His faithfulness all around us. What once inspired fear and a sense of panic in me, was turned into thankfulness for God’s faithfulness. His heart issue was discovered “by accident” through testing in preparation for another procedure (Hip Replacement), and it has since been medically confirmed that the hip problem likely saved his life, due to the decreased physical activity it has caused.
The Heart Surgery that likely wouldn’t have been done until at least January 2016, was done in October 2015. The beginning of this process began with a visit to the Emergency Room, followed by hospitalization for three weeks, which included Open Heart Surgery. Thanks be to God, he is home now and almost three weeks into his recovery period.
The journey that began with a lot of fear is unfolding to become one of the most spiritually strengthening and transforming experiences that Bruce and I have ever gone through. We were heavily weighed down by stress and anxiety, but over time, we have become joyful as we have been able to see God’s unfailing love, to feel His presence, and to know that He has carried us through these days.
The purpose of medicine is to make someone healthy. Jesus is the Great Physician, and as such, He alone can make us healthy and whole; physically, spiritually and emotionally. Sometimes He uses people (doctors, surgeons, nurses, etc.) to accomplish His work of healing. Our current circumstances are a testimony to God. He is making Bruce healthier physically, and He is making both of us healthier spiritually. He is our healer at all times and in all circumstances, even when we can’t see what He is doing for us.
This is a piece of our journey with the Lord. I encourage you to look at the circumstances of your life to see where God is responding to your prayers for His help. He is there, possibly in the most unlikely of ways. “He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6b)
My prayer is, “Heavenly Father, thank You for Your ever-present help in times of trouble. Please give me eyes to see You in all situations, even when it seems I am surrounded by difficulty. Please help me to always remember that the joy of the Lord is my strength. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.
