The word “biopsy” triggered fear as I listened to the nurse on the phone explain why I needed to make an appointment for the next day. My mind dove into a dark place of what-ifs, conjuring up all the worst possible outcomes. What if the growth on top of my head was cancerous? Who would care for my family if I didn’t survive? Uncomfortable pressure from the lump intensified as I imagined how my family would cope. But worrying doesn’t work.
Fear of the unknown made for a restless night. The next day, I arrived at the doctor’s office with puffy eyes and a knotted-up stomach. After examining the bump, the dermatologist determined a biopsy wasn’t needed. We scheduled an appointment to remove it.
Instead of leaving the office relieved, my mind went into another tailspin. What if the professionals handling my case discovered something unexpected during the operation? Or the incision got infected during recovery? Waiting a full two weeks for surgery felt agonizing, but it eventually came and went. The tumor biopsy results came back negative. It didn’t take long to realize all the time and energy I spent worrying was unnecessarily exhausting for me and my loved ones.
Leaning on worry when facing problems doesn’t work, but leaning on God does. Prayer and petition with thanksgiving demonstrates our faith in God’s goodness and provision despite what we’re experiencing. Communicating honestly with Him about what we need draws spiritual resources into our physical reality.
Every trial is an invitation from God to trust in His ability to handle the adverse events that come our way and help us cope. When we face unpredictable circumstances, we may use worry to keep our emotional guard up, brace for the worst-case scenario, or give us a sense of control in an alarming situation. But no amount of worrying can prevent what happens to us in the future. Worry steals our joy, kills our faith, and destroys our strength. Unbridled worry can wreak havoc on our relationships, impair our performance, and create medical problems from the stress.
Get honest with God about what you’re worried about. Invite Him into your problem. Tell Him your worries, and ask for His help. Release your fear, despair, and pain into His capable hands. Seize the peace, strength, and hope He provides daily to overcome the difficulty.
Brandie is an award-winning author, speaker, and devotional writer. Her most notable work is a children’s book, Garden Tales: A Seed’s Story. She is a contributing devotional writer for Christian Devotions and VineWords: Devotions and More. Brandie is the founder of The Write Place and president of the Charlotte Word Weavers chapter. She is also a member of Hope* Writers and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. She and her husband have been married for over fifteen years and live in North Carolina with their three young children, two of whom are Irish Twins. They spend a lot of time on baseball fields and at horse stables and enjoy playing games. They also enjoy family trips where they can bike ride on the beach or explore the mountains.