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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7, NASB).
Friend to Friend
My husband, Dan, has battled high blood pressure since we first married over thirty years ago. Hmmm…now that I think about it, there just might be a connection there! Nevertheless, for several years, Dan struggled with an irregular heartbeat, a debilitating condition that drains energy and generally promotes a compelling sense of exhaustion.
Now you need to understand something very important about my husband. Dan Southerland is not accustomed to doing anything short of full speed ahead, so you can imagine his frustration and my concern. Little did I know that the opportunity for fear and worry would escalate to a whole new level when, at 2:30 am on March 15, Dan looked at me and said, “Honey, I think you need to call an ambulance.” I already had.
Sweat was dripping from his body like rain, followed by waves of excruciating chest pain, dizziness and nausea. The ambulance arrived six minutes after I called and began to work on my now semi-unconscious husband. I heard one paramedic say, “I can’t get a blood pressure reading, pulse or vein.” Dan gained consciousness for a few seconds to say, “I love you. Go get Danna.” I knew what he was saying and I was not having it! I climbed up on the bed beside my precious husband and in my kindest, most merciful voice said, “Honey, if you die, I will absolutely kill you! You are not going anywhere! You are staying right here! Do you understand me?” That declaration certainly grabbed the attention of the paramedics whose heads snapped up to see the lunatic wife in action. I then called for reinforcements. “Danna, get in here,” I yelled to our 20-year-old daughter who was already dressed and standing behind me. If her eyes had not been twice their normal size, I would never have known she was terrified. “What’s up, Dad?” she asked. That’s my girl! The paramedics finally got an IV going and within minutes, Dan was feeling much better.
A quick sidebar: For weeks, I had been telling Dan how much I loved Carrie Underwood’s song, “Jesus Take the Wheel.”
The paramedics lifted Dan onto a stretcher and into the ambulance. Danna said, “Mom, you ride with Dad. I’ll follow you so we will have a car at the hospital.” As I climbed into the passenger side of the ambulance, the radio was on and the first words I heard were “I can’t do this on my own. Jesus, take the wheel.” God’s peace settled around my heart and soul like a familiar friend and I celebrated the love of a God who cares enough about His daughter that He played her favorite song at the precise moment she needed to hear it. You see, when the paramedic climbed into the driver’s seat, he said, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Southerland, but we can’t have the radio on during a call.” I smiled and responded, “I didn’t turn it on. It was on when I got in.” His eyes said it all. “This woman is nuts!” But I knew the presence of God was in that ambulance, with my husband and whatever we were facing.
Why do we doubt Him? Why do we worry? Yes, He is Lord of the Universe, but He is also Friend of the wounded heart and Shepherd of every valley. He is Love. He is Peace.
Over the next nine days, Dan was in the hospital where I think they ran every possible test that can be run on the human heart. After a defibrillator was inserted in Dan’s chest, he left the hospital and has been going full speed ever since. God was with me every step of the way and He will be there for you, my friend. No matter where you are, no matter how hopeless your circumstances may seem, no matter how deep and dark the pit – He is at work in and around you. Just give up and surrender the wheel of your life, trusting Him to make a way where there is no way.
Let’s Pray
Father, please forgive me when I give in to fear and worry instead of stepping out in faith and believing You. I want to become a woman who trusts You – no matter what. My faith is small, but I now choose to place it in You.
In Jesus’s name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Scripture tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Matthew 17:20 also tells us that even a tiny amount of faith pleases Him. (Jesus) replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
A mustard seed is tiny, but once planted, it grows into a huge tree. Jesus said a little faith has incredible results. We don’t need a lot of faith – just as much as a mustard seed to produce great results. Why? Because our God is an awesome God and our faith depends on Him!
What is the greatest storm in your life today?
What step do you need to take to face that trial with faith instead of fear?
What is keeping you from trusting God and stepping out in faith?
More from the Girlfriends
Check out Mary’s weekly online Bible study, Light for the Journey, for practical ways to tap into the power of God’s Word. The first study of 2013 is Power Up With Proverbs, and since each lesson stands alone, it’s not too late to join.
Are you stressed out – facing financial problems, health issues, or dealing with difficult relationships? God will be your peace. Get Mary’s book, Escaping the Stress Trap, and learn how to transform the promises of the Twenty-third Psalm into easy-to-implement, practical steps that will hand you the keys to stress management.
And be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.
I thank God for this devotion today – I had to take my daughter to hospital last week (she is fine now) and I was struggling to pray and struggling to trust God, sinking in my anxiety. The words of the prayer at the end were just the words I needed to say.
Go God! I am so glad God spoke to you through the devotion…and the prayer. It is my prayer, too. Blessings.
Oh my gosh this devo is just what I needed to hear!
You see, I am a school teacher’s aide, a part time youth minister and a Mary Kay consultant. Well being able to work with youth several hours a day I hear about their real heart struggles. One concern that I have is with our future generation of young ladies. These girls lack self esteem and they see in themeselves based on what society tells them. Each one of these girls has a invisible sign on their neck that screams make me feel loved, important and noticed. With having such a great resource with Mary Kay I have decided to do a project called “One Woman Can” and its to instill and promote beauty from the inside outside. So I have a goal thats due next week to sell 175 compacts to give to every single girl in the school as a gift from the community to let her know she is worth more than gold. Yes, its a big God size goal and I have been so discouraged wondering when is God going to show up and do something big. I really know he didnt bring this far not to see this through. But I have been anxious because this project is only about 50% funded but after reading this I am thankful and fully know I have peace knowing that Jesus is in control! Thank you for being obedient and writing this!
Whew! You are busy, Whitney. God always provides where He guides. Stand firm in Him. Blessings!
Our family is currently on financial crisis. As a wife and a mother, I’m really worried on how our family can recover from this. I’m starting to loose hope. This morning, I was again bothered by our situation until God spoke to my heart to read today’s devotion. Truly, God is in control of everything. I know He is at work. I believe He loves me so much that He doesn’t want me to worry. He is my Father. Starting today, I will let Him take the wheel of my life. I put my hope and trust in you Lord Jesus.
Yes, He is! God is at work right now to resolve the issues you are facing, Mary Ann. Read Psalm 40:1-3 and know He is faithful. Blessings.
I just want to thank you, Mary (and Sharon and Gwen), for these devotionals. They touch me in some way every day.
Today, Mary, you brought tears to my eyes when you wrote that the song was on in the ambulance when you got it – most undoubtedly just for you. I LOVE when God does things like that in our lives! Whenever it happens to me or someone tells me a story of it happening to them, my eyes well up. And at that moment, the feeling of love and peace, (and just the absolute in-your-face this-is-for-you amazement) fills my heart like nothing or no one else does!
So thank you for the reminder of His sometimes in-your-face just-for-you showing of His loving presence!
~Kelly
Kelly, thank you for your words of encouragement. We love how God speaks to women through our life experiences. We are all on the same journey and love doing life with women like you. Blessings.
It is not my storm (today), it is my precious daughter’s. Your words gave me sweet comfort and I e-mailed her and begged her to read it. God always knows what we need to hear!
Sometimes it is harder to watch those we love struggle, isn’t it? But God’s truth is for us all. Blessings.
Thank you so much for the awesome devotions. I try to read them everyday. Its like each one has been written for me, and just when I need it. Our God is so good and faithful and you ladies are awesome, thank you for sharing your lives and sometimes very personal stories. You all are so appreciated. Have a blessed day.
Linda, thank you for the words of encouragement. Blessings.
Thank you for allowing the Lord to do his work through you. If for no one else, God answered my hearts cry through your devotional today. Thank you for loving living for him.
Thanks and blessings!
Very Inspirational Mary. I too love that song and now remember that it was the song I was singing when my mom called me to tell me that my dad passed. Jesus is truly a friend and he is definitely our peace in times of trouble
May God Bless You
God bless you, Peta. I pray that He is your comfort and peace in the midst of this trial. Blessings.
I think of how recent I was sitting in a hospital as my wife was wheeled down a long, cold corridor. Your blog brought back that brief moment of hopelessness followed by a river of peace as I prayed silently as the chaos of the day whirled around me. Mary thank you for sharing that time with all of us and reminding us, me in particular, of the gift of faith in the midst of the storm. Hugs to you and yours…
Thanks, friend. God bless you!
Thank you for this devotion. I am to have surgery tomorrow. Needless to say, I have been worrying over this. God is so amazing in the ways He speaks to us. When I read this, I knew He was telling me to let go of the worry because everything is going to be just fine. Thank you again!!
Lori, I pray your surgery went well and you are having a speedy recovery. Blessings.
I sent you a mail to Gwen, Gig etc a few minutes ago about my mum’s health, then decided to check your fb pages, twitter etc and came across this, I’m sute this has been in my mail box but wonder how come I did not get to read it….now that I think of it, maybe I was getting discouraged but thank God for His mercies…I am so encouraged, I feel like this devotion was specially packaged for me. God bless you and prosper this ministry in Jesus name. The Church is marching on and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!!!
So glad the LORD spoke to you through the devotion! Keep seeking His heart and moving forward in His power!
Thanks, Cynthia. God’s timing is perfect, isn’t it? Blessings.
I looked you guys back up this morning, March 6th, and wanted to go back to this date and read. On this date our first grandson was born. Looking back on this day God really did take the wheel! For my daughter and a hard delivery and our grandson, who both came through healthy after all was checked out! Thank you. The power of prayer is great!
And so thankful!
This was sent for me today God spoke to you and you listened allowing me to hear what I needed knowing God is in control and let my faith in him show thank you for listening to him.
My husband says he thinks our marriage is over and has been staying with his brother. I haven’t talked to him in weeks. I’ve been trying to stay focused on the Lord and continuing to pray, but I’ve been struggling with discouragement. This was helpful. Thank you.