This was originally part one of a three-part series, “Trust IN God”
Many years ago, when my sister, Wanda’s daughter was not even a year old–Wanda became very sick. According to the doctor on her case, at the point of death. He offered very little hope. The changes he made in her medication made things even worse. With her blood pressure dropping to the low thirties and her breathing very labored, talking was impossible. Prayer, on the other hand, was not.
I remember the room in Tallahassee Memorial Hospital being very large, enough to accommodate her bed, the equipment, and 9 of us. The family. The blood of Christ flowing in our veins making us family- for those who were not actual “kin”. When hopes were dashed upon the rocks of life, we clung to the cross on the hill.
While we listened to the doctor state the facts as he saw them, my mother adamantly (if you know “Grandleria, you know what this sounded like) requested Wanda’s childhood physician be notified at once (Dr. St. Petery). He was the one who had seen her from childhood, at the onset of the discovery of her heart condition. The doctor [present], not taking my mother as seriously as he should have, stated that “his notification of her condition would not change the facts.”
He then went on to suggest alternative medications–although not giving much hope of them working. He just wanted to try and see what would work.
With anger rising up in me, I said directly to the doctor, “You will not make my sister a guinea pig!” I remember mother looking at me, her eyes filled with tears and pain. I just really wanted to bop him in the head–but that would do no good. This was my sister’s life, and I was kind of a mess of hormones, and my non-spiritual flesh came to the surface.
Just a few more moments of discussion ensued, the air in the room stiff and as labored as Wanda’s breathing. The doctor, standing to leave, shaking his head, obviously could not imagine why we were acting this way, surely, at this point in Wanda’s life, we had to know that it could not last.
Yet we held on to a faith that he could not see. We held to One greater than he supposed himself to be. Faith and trust in a God that is Sovereign.
I remember at least four ministers in the room with us. After he left, we began to seek God with fresh urgency. With hands lifted, we prayed and sought God–trusting in His decision. I was asking God to be present and asking Him to give us a sign of His working—all things for our good. At this point, I wasn’t seeing anything good.
In just moments, the door opened, and in walked the doctor mother had requested, in physical form, and with him came a spiritual ignition for our faith and trust! The atmosphere in the room instantly changed! It seemed as if all the hot air of the enemy had been pushed out the window and in GUSHED the fresh air of the Holy Spirit! (Isaiah 59:19)
I saw the expression on my mother’s face change instantly. Relief washed over her like a clean waterfall gushing its cool freshness down a mountainside. The situation was re-examined. Suggestions offered–decisions made. We all left for Gainesville. Praying all the way. Beseeching God. Surely, God would not have given this long dreamed of –prayed for–baby to this woman only to take her life after just a few short months of motherhood. Indeed not. Our TRUST in God is secure as the dawning of the next day’s sun.
If you know anything about us or our story, you know that all turned out exactly as God planned. Her life was just the number of days God had set forth from the beginning. (Job 14:5 “You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer.”)
Wanda’s next few years with her precious daughter were a sweet blessing, all captured in a bottle of time. Giving God daily praise for each breath!
Her trust was secure.
Is ours?
- When the checkbook gets into the single digits are we secure in Him? In His care for us?
- When the bread box contains only 2 end slices…does our stomach growl in mock hunger?
- When the fabric of our faith wears thin, where is our trust? In Him? Or in what we can see…
Do we say “I trust You LORD even when:
- the children get sick
- the hours at work are cut
- the promotion is given to someone else
- the marriage falls apart
- the child rebels
- the loved one dies
Do we trust God ONLY when things are going our way? Or, are we in it for the long haul?
If it seems your trust slips at the points of severe tension–know this: Jesus Christ is there to realign your faith in Him.
I want to encourage you today, in the brand New Year of 2025, to bolt your faith so securely to Jesus.
Adjust your vision and focus to settle on Him–and not on your seemingly insurmountable circumstances. Things on the outside may not change. But the inside of your heart and mind can rest knowing that God has all things in His line of sight and WILL work all things for our good. It may not “feel” good….but if you and I will trust Him–He will walk us through whatever may come our way.
Youtube video: People & Songs, The Emerging Sounds with Meg Ammons.
© Angie Knight 2024. All rights reserved. Edited from the previous version published June 2010.
Jeff & Angie 