Has your life ever turned into chaos?
My recent chaos
While I enjoy writing plot twists into my novels (and these Thought Twist posts), my life-twists got out of hand recently and turned to chaos. You see, I can’t swallow. Okay, most of the time I can, but I have to overchew small bites, and sometimes even that doesn’t work. Come to find out, my thyroid is the issue. It needs to come out.
I’m usually a trooper when it comes to surgery. I’ve had my fair share ( & then some), but I was really disappointed when the surgeon booked the date 6 weeks out.
There’s a what? Where?
I eagerly did my pre-op labs, X-ray, and EKG right after getting the date. Then I went home to my calm, ordinary life to overchew for another boring 6 weeks. Then the chaos started.
They called the very next day to ask if I knew about the 11mm pulmonary nodule in my left lung. It must be evaluated before they will do my surgery.
My Routine
As a person with asthma and a vast history of pneumonia (and now a COVID survivor), I see a lung specialist. I get an X-ray every year. Eleven short months ago, in fact. So what is this and where did it come from? The specialist ordered a CT.
The other shoe means more chaos
Then, days later, the other shoe dropped. Once again, the surgeon calls. This time to get my cardiologist’s name. But I don’t have one…
And now I need clearance from one before surgery. So, 2 weeks ago(as you are reading this), I met my new cardiologist.
I’m a chaos factory.
His repeat EKG says I’ve probably had a previous heart attack. He needs more testing before he will okay surgery: ultrasound and stress test.
PEACE in the chaos
After all this health-focused chaos, I got quite anxious. And that brings me to this week’s Spiritual Thought Twist: Phil. 4:6-7
”Be anxious for nothing, BUT in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
As I examine these verses, I recognize
- There is peace to be had – from God.
- There are commands I must follow to get there.
Let’s start with some definitions:
- prayer – [proseuche]worship with an earnest heart AKA talk openly and honestly to God
- supplication – [deesis]a petition or request
- thanksgiving – [eucharistia]gratitude; grateful language spoken to God as an act of worship
- request – [aitema]an asking
The commands
- Stop worrying – God’s got this. When a wave of anxiety comes, PRAY! How do I know that’s the answer? THAT’S THE TWIST! Today’s “BUT” starts into a list of different ways to pray.
- in everything by prayer – Have regular heart-to-heart talks with God.
- and supplication – tell Him what you need
- with thanksgiving – and show your appreciation for everything He’s already given you and what you’re asking Him to do now
- let your requests be made known to God – I was surprised that the Greek word for request is different from supplication. This is the same word used in 1 John 5:15, “And if we know God listens when we pray, we are sure our prayers have already been answered.”
I can’t help but think that each of these types of prayer is critical to the promise in verse 7, “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” After all, Paul didn’t just lump them all together as “Pray more.” He listed them out.
That’s what I’m looking for: unimaginable peace found only from God. I’m writing this 1 week early because my next days are cram-packed with tests and follow up appointments. My next post is due to go live on June 7 – ten days before my scheduled thyroid surgery. I covet your prayers in the meantime, and I will do all I can to have an update then.
PRAYER – USING 4 ASPECTS OF PRAYER
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY TODAY. DROP ME A LINE BELOW OR ON INSTAGRAM AND LET ME KNOW IF I CAN PRAY FOR YOU!
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