“Yes” on the Table
The Speak Up conference I recently attended was phenomenal. As I was driving home, I was thinking about the extraordinary things I had discovered. I could not wait to get home to review my notes and reach out to the speakers and writers who had encouraged me in my journey. My “Yes” was on the table and I was ready to put into use the tools they had shared with me. I was “flying high” on the excitement! My plan was to roll up my sleeves and get to work.
God had a different plan for me.
As I was driving the 10-hour drive home, my throat became scratchy, and I felt a bit feverish. The closer I got to home, the anxiety level continued to climb. I somehow knew that I had contracted the feared Covid.
Arriving home, I brought my suitcases in, and immediately tested. I had tested in the past and always breathed a sigh of relief when there was only 1 line. This test took only seconds to display 2 lines. I had Covid.
Even though I had taken precautions to be protected from serious illness, I was frightened, and anxiety ridden. Living alone can sometimes have that effect on you. God encourages those of us who struggle with fear and anxiety in Paul’s letter to the Philippians.
The problem is in my humanness I did not go directly to the words that are so precious to me. I was frozen in my anxiety wondering if this awful virus would overtake my antibodies.
After suffering for 5 days with this anxiety, I finally ask Jesus to remind me of His promises. He guided me to Philippians 4:6-9:
“The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace with be with you.”
If only I had claimed this promise on day one, I would have had a better week of recovery. As I read God’s word over and over, my anxiety subsided.
As I improved, I was so thankful for the grace and mercy that He gave me in my weakness. Now is time to get to work answering His call with my “Yes” on the table.
NOM