James 1:2-3

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2-3

Something has been on my mind today, so I want to take a break from our regularly scheduled programming (on being a disciple) to share these verses.

Today, I sat in the waiting room while my husband had surgery. I sat alone. In fact, I actually needed to work, while I waited. In a sense, that is a nice distraction to a 3 hour weight. Bill needed a cyst removed from his left leg. After the weight, I was ushered to a consult room to look at x-rays and pictures and here results.

I was calm, collected, and even a bit cheerful.

Now, I don't say that to brag at all. It was a testimony of God's grace. You see, this is his third surgery in 13 months. The first time, I paced the floor. The surgery took much longer than it was supposed to. The nurses kept coming out and calling others to come back and see their family members. When they finally called me, they took me to a consult room. I knew something was wrong, and felt shaky and clammy all the way down the hall. 

The doctor came in with a grave look on his face and explained to me that it didn't look good. He was concerned that it could be cancer, and we should know something in 3-5 days. 3-5 days!!!???

It turned out that it wasn't cancer. Bill just likes to grow cysts. We're not sure why. The surgeon isn't sure why. He just does.

So today, I calmly discussed down payments and co-pays and payment plans. Now, I don't have any more money than I did 13 months ago, but after three MRI's, three surgeries, much lab work, orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, neurologists, chiropractors, primary care physicians, foot braces, and unpaid time off work, I'm no longer in panic mode. Why? Because the testing of my faith has developed perseverance. It has nothing to do with me. It is just God honoring His Word.

If you had told me a year ago, that the first surgery (and all that came with it), was just the first step in a very long road ahead, I would have panicked even more. Once again, the Lord knew I couldn't handle information from the future. He is good like that. He faithfully guides us step by step, one step at a time through the trials. He doesn't take us anywhere that He isn't strong enough to carry us through - and develop perseverance.

This has been a very tiring, yet very sweet week. Not just because I'm witnessing God actively at work in my life, but because I've witnessed Him at work in four other areas that I've been praying about for years. I'm not sure why God has chosen this time period to begin really allowing results to show in these four areas, but I'm overwhelmed at His goodness.

Anyway....just wanted to share. I pray you will let Him work through your trials!

Much love,

Angela