I had a cardio appointment, and it started on the wrong foot. I got into my automobile at 9:15 a.m. for a 10 a.m. appointment. Then, I discovered my appointment was at 8 a.m., not 10. Uh-oh.
When I arrived at 9:45, they took me in immediately. I first did an echocardiogram and then an ultrasound of my heart. We listened to the blood swishing through the atrium and into the ventricle, then out into my body again. It is not as exciting as listening to Tchaikovsky, but my inside sounds were all on the playlist today.
Splish, splash, swish, swoosh, blah, blah, blah. It was very unnerving.
After that introduction, they had me take a five-minute break before being taken to the treadmill. First, seven electrodes were hooked up to my chest, wires bound to my body with an ace bandage, and walking shoes at the ready. I sat there and watched my heart rate go from 74 to 65 to 71 and back and forth again and again.
Then it was time for me to walk… slowly, quicker, quicker still, and quickest. I was trying to get to a heart rate of 174. I made it, but it hurt. They kept asking me if I was comfortable. How can anyone be comfortable doing that hooked up with more wires hanging on me than a Christmas tree in December? My calves were barking, and I was out of gas—emptied!
Mercifully, I got the 15-second flag, then the slowdown, and thankfully, a quick laydown.
Then came an insecure moment initiated by frowns from the physician's assistant. She said she had to go see the doctor because my heart was doing things it should not do. The test indicated that I had a blocked artery, and I failed not only once but twice during the test. I can easily say that I have felt badly failing tests before, but never this bad.
So now I have to take another test—this time with more bells and whistles.
In moments like this one, should I be scared, collected, nervous, trusting, worried, and/or thankful?
What I am is alive. I want to stay this way.
Days later, the Cardiologist allayed all concerns, but there was that fulcrum of uncertainty.
When the unknown is what we know, it can affect our mood, outlook, security, and even relationships with people close to our hearts and those we only casually interact with. Why?
When we are insecure about what's next, what do we do? Isn't every moment of life a time like this? We do not know what will happen next, do we?
How do you respond?
HOPE - the Bible calls hope (expectation of good) to be an anchor to your soul. Without an anchor, there is drift. In uncertainty, use directed hope. Hope toward a certain best outcome aligned with what the Bible shows to be God's blessing. We are given this idea that anchoring is a good expectation from the New Testament book of Hebrews, chapter 6 (verses 13-19). There, the writer tells us about Abraham, who waited patiently for God's promise to come true, and it did. The idea is capped with, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
PRAY - The communication of need and trust in simultaneous action. As Paul instructs Philippians followers of Jesus, chapter 4, verse 6, "Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need." Can you ask and receive at once? Yes! God promises, we wait and see the good.
RELEASE - Once we pray and settle into trust, seeing the answer in hope and asking with thanksgiving, then let it go. We receive this invitation to let it go to the Lord in the Psalms (55) "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." Stand in trusting the promise! The first New Testament letter of Peter, repeats the sentiment, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
Hope with imagination for what God has promised is yours.
Pray with abandon, knowing that God always responds.
Release it to be taken care of by the Father.
Know it now. Use it tomorrow. Need or want to ask questions? I want to interact.
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