There’s so much we strive to understand. Why did this happen? Why did God let this illness happen to my child? Why did He allow these defects to be formed? What exactly is this disease? What’s my child’s prognosis? What’s the next step? What is the plan?
We want to understand and make sense of the chaos brought into our lives. It makes the scary less scary and more manageable. With understanding comes control. We want nothing less than someone to control this horrible beast reeking havoc in our child’s body.
That’s why verses such as Proverbs 3:5 can rub us the wrong way, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding,” (New King James Version). It’s exactly the opposite of what our protective Mommy’s heart wants. We want answers and action right now! We don’t like the fact that we can not possibly understand our child’s condition fully. We’re not comfortable with all the factors that cause each child’s journey with their illness to be unique. How they respond to medication or treatments or surgery is different than any other child. But the biggest untamable factor thrown in the mix is God. We do not always (or usually!) know His exact plans. If we try to wrap everything up (including His plan) in a neat little package that we can understand we forget who Jesus is:
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” (Isaiah 9:6, New King James Version).
We have to read those words and take them to heart. He is Wonderful. He is the Counselor. He is Mighty God. Thank God He is so awesome we cannot figure out His plan!
Scripture tells us in Mark 9:23, “Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes,’” (New King James Version). We have no idea what “all things” means! We try to though. We think that one or two certain things have to happen for our child to be well. Where we see one possibility, God knows of thousands. He sees and knows what we can’t. Does that frustrate you and make you feel out of control? I hope that it encourages you that this incomprehensible, amazing God is the one truly in control of your child’s life. Through Him, all things are possible, even the ones we can’t imagine!
Do I sound like a dreamer, denying “reality”? I’ve been accused of that many times by doctors! My reality is God. I base my reality on His promises and who is He – all found only in His Holy Word. No, I don’t believe in pretending as though nothing is wrong. What I do hope to encourage is complete dependence on God. Pray about the doctors’ predictions and the science they use. Give it all to God. Tell Him your desires and ask for the very best for your child. While you do so, know that God is good, and He is in control of everything (including every inch of your child). Never forget that everything is possible to Wonderful, Almighty God! Doesn’t that sound an awful lot like having hope?
Do you have hope for your child or have your hopes been dashed? Hope, faith, and trust come through God’s work in our hearts. He can only do that work if we let Him through prayer and reading His word – they are the gateways to knowing God deeply so our worries and fears are transformed into hope and trust. As we get to know Him, we will gain the peace and wisdom we need for our journeys. We may not know His plan, but we will know the path He wants us to take.
Are you ready to let go of the questions, surrender them to God, and trust in Him alone? Begin right now; give it all to Him – worries and heart desires. Then take some time to get to know your Counselor even more.
In His Love,
Kimberly
Kimberly@kimberlyehlers.com
http://twitter.com/kimberlyehlers
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