By: Ptr. Gen Concepcion
After kissing him on the forehead, the nurse guided my husband to the operating room, and he trudged along beside his IV pole.
As I stepped out of the pre-op room into the main hospital hallway, anxiety crept in. After a few more steps, tears welled in my eyes, and I walked faster, hoping the rush of air might keep them from pooling and falling.
I thought I was prayed up—ready for the day—and able to wait nonchalantly for his laparoscopic surgery to be done so I could simply drive him home. I also knew the brethren and coworkers had been praying for him. We had even prayed right before the OR nurse came to get him.
But no. There I was, pacing and breathing heavier, trying to calm myself down.
During his sermon the other Sunday, as he spoke about the precious stones in heaven, my husband joked that the only precious stones he knew were his gallstones. I laughed hard, as I always do at his jokes, but the congregation laughed louder than usual at that gallstones quip. Two weeks later, he’s now a few gallstones—and an entire gallbladder—poorer.
We were told the surgery would be minor and that he could go home the same day, so I was actually taken aback by how worried I felt. But in those moments of anxiety, I knew there was only one thing to do: pray more. I sought refuge in the upstairs atrium of the hospital, and after praying, I took out my SPA planner, read the day’s assigned bible reading, and reflected on it all.
I had been there waiting for three hours, comforted by God’s peace when I got the message that the procedure was done and that he had moved into the recovery room. After an hour, my phone rang, and his groggy voice on the phone was the sweetest sound I’d heard in a long while.
I praise God because I have been taught—like many other Fourth Watchers—that in times of trouble, we must turn to prayer even more. I remember another difficult chapter in my life when I would sing Still over and over again:
“When the oceans rise and thunders roar;
I will soar with You above the storm;
Father, You are King over the flood;
I will be still, know You are God
Psalm 46:10 says, “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’” God is commanding us to trust Him. He reminds us that because He is God, He is mighty to save, faithful to His Word, and able to make a way where there seems to be none. He is God.
Immanuel—God with us—that is what Christmas means. He is not distant from our neediness. He does not despise our fears or our brokenness. He does not snuff out a flickering wick, and a bruised reed He will not break.
After entrusting everything to God, just as He promises in Philippians 4:6, His peace that transcends all understanding came over me. I placed my confidence in Him and claimed that my husband will fully recover. I know he gained wisdom, self-control, patience, and understanding through what he was made to experience.
I praise God for the hope and confidence we have in Christ, our Immanuel.
Reflection: How have past moments of hardship helped you recognize God’s goodness in your life?
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