Posted by Lisa Burkhardt Worley on February 1, 2010
Last week I was praying to have a Urinary Tract Infection. I know that sounds a bit odd, but after a questionable test result at the urologist, an infection was the least worrisome of all the possibilities for my symptom. Unfortunately, there was no infection and I was sent to the next step, a cat scan to look at my pelvis. The scan was supposed to be a ten minute process (I could handle that!), with just a couple of pictures and it was, at first. After the machine scanned me a couple of times, I was done and was sent out to the waiting room to wait for my cat scan film, which I did not realize they sent with me, then the technician came back out to the waiting room and presented the bad news. She told me the Radiologist would like to take some more pictures. What? I had bravely made it through the first round and now I had to change back into the lovely clothes they provide and do the whole process again? In addition, I needed to undergo an iodine IV for a contrast cat scan.
As I lay on the table again, I will admit I started to get a little upset because this second round was a surprise and I hate surprises! However, it was at that point the Lord reminded me of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I began to repeat that verse over and over in my head, as the IV was placed in my arm, as the iodine was shot into my body, and as I took several more breath holds while the machine did its work. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me….I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me…” Before I knew it, the process was once again over, and I was back in the waiting room again.
Interestingly enough, the focus verse of our pastor’s sermon on Sunday was Philippians 4:13. It was a confirmation that no matter how difficult our circumstances are, we can make it through anything this world tosses at us with the power of Christ running through us. Today as I await the cat scan results and as panic tries to slip in the back door, I am slamming the door shut on worry as I repeat Philippians 4:13 again to myself and choose to believe it. It is at that point, the peace begins to cover me and I know I can get through this, no matter what the outcome.
Posted by Lisa Burkhardt Worley on January 25, 2010
Earlier this month, I presented a talk to our monthly women’s luncheon on how to grow into a courageous Christian. One of the principles of being a courageous Christian I noted was: “Courageous Christians respond to life’s trials and hardships differently.” Two weeks later, I believe God wanted to see if I could walk the talk, as one of my lab results at an annual exam turned up questionable, and requires further testing. I looked up my symptoms and cancer is not out of the range of possibility. In the past I probably would have worried 24/7 but I keep remembering the words God gave me for the courageous Christian message, and I have an amazing peace about the situation. I am responding to this trial differently than I might have in previous years.
In my morning devotion, I came across James 1:12, which says: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” How do you handle trials in your life? Is there a great deal of worrying? Does your fear consume you? Through prayer and the power of Christ, we can overcome our fears. We must just ask the Lord to do that through us.
My husband and I were recently asked to serve on our marriage retreat committee. Because of my pending test, my husband said if all is well with my health, we will commit to the committee as a love offering to God. The test is, can we still love God even if the news is bad? I believe the answer is “yes.”
Are you loving God in the midst of your pain? The apostle Paul suffered a great affliction that he asked God three times to remove from him. Paul shares this in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9: “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” Do you count on God’s power to help you through your painful trial, especially when the trial has no end in sight? I know as I journey down the current path I am on, I am counting on God’s strength to get me through it!
Posted by Lisa Burkhardt Worley on June 17, 2009
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I Can Do All Things Through Christ
