“Did they mention the spot on your lung at the ER?”
“What?”
Thus began six months of CT scans and MRI tests, two biopsies, an endoscopy and a colonoscopy.
Each time a test came back clear, I breathed a sigh of relief and then worried about the next appointment. What began with diverticulitis evolved into lung concerns and then a bulging disk on my spine. Overwhelmed, I cried out to God for answers. Instead, He gave me peace.
I asked Him why this was happening. He didn’t say.
I missed two trips to Uganda because I didn’t feel up to the travel. Instead, I traveled to our cancer care hospital in Buffalo.
As I reflect on the road trip that took a detour from my daily routine, I wonder. What was that all about? Why was it necessary to pursue something that was not there?
I am grateful to be cleared. I am thankful for the love and support I received. Maybe the Lord wanted to see if my desire to go with the missions team was bigger than my desire to follow Him into this season of waiting.
Sometimes He may test what we want, to see if we want Him more.
And so, I leaned into my faithful Father for comfort and direction.
Exercise:
Do you need to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness?
Consider the following verses.
- Genesis 35:3 How have you seen God’s presence in the middle of your stress?
- 1 Kings 8:15 Count your blessings. How has God fulfilled His promises in your life?
- 1 Kings 8:56 List some of the good promises God made through Moses. Use your concordance for help.
- 1 Chronicles 19:13 How will you show that you trust God to do the right thing?
- 1 Chronicles 28:20 What has the Lord commissioned you to do?
- 2 Chronicles 15:2-7 For what work are you seeking God’s favor? How will you renew your dedication and strength?
Are you pursuing a plan or the Provider of that plan? When your sight gets muddled, refocus your time to spend more in God’s Word and in His presence. He will give you peace and bring others along to support you in your journey, detour or not.
The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life?
Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.
Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.
Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.
Visit Sally’s blog at sallyferguson.net
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