"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God." Isaiah 41:10 NIV

A Routine Surgery

Last Spring, I underwent a serious but fairly routine surgery for a uterine tumor. As I laid in the recovery room, all my vital signs were stable. My husband visited and kissed me goodbye to go home and check on our children. I was coming out of anesthesia well and everything seemed to have gone well. I was so relieved and was feeling at peace over the whole surgery.

I heard one of the nurses come in to take my blood pressure and other vital signs and then heard her quickly rush out of the room. Within the next few minutes, my surgeon and several other nurses surrounded me.

The questions came:

“Do you feel ok?”

“Do you understand what we are saying?”

“Does anything hurt?”

I didn’t realize the seriousness of the situation until I saw a doctor enter the room with the “crash cart” and I heard a nurse whisper, “The chief hospital physician is here.”

So, I did the only thing I knew how to do… pray.

With my prayers came complete peace. Even as I was rushed into emergency surgery for internal bleeding, I knew that God was in control. As I prayed for courage and strength, God showed up in great ways. He took my fear and anxious thoughts and replaced them with His peace. A peace that transcends all understanding. One that I can’t even put into words.

This peace remained as I was transferred into ICU where I stayed for several days recovering. This peace was my courage as I underwent 3 days of blood and platelet transfusions. And it remained as I received a cancer diagnosis shortly thereafter.

Have you released your fears to God? Today is a perfect day to start living in His courage and peace!