Five days after my annual mammogram, the nurse called and said the radiologist wanted an ultrasound. The earliest appointment was 11 days later—11 days of waiting. A couple of days before the appointment, I began to worry. My mind played tricks on me.
I thought of a verse I memorized years ago: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV). I was furious that the prowling, roaring lion caused me to listen to the enemy. The morning of my appointment, I read a devotion that said: “You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay” (Psalm 40:17, NIV).
Turns out, my results were benign.
The next time that roaring lion is prowling around, I’m going to tell him to stop! Not all of us get the results we hope for, but we can be confident that God is with all of us each step of the way. Memorized Bible verses and God’s goodness can see us through.
This message is excerpted from “Abolishing your roaring lions” by Gwen Edwards from the April 13, 2015, blog of the Women of the ELCA.
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