BUSHWHACKED!

"So be truly glad^!   There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.  These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." I Peter 1:6-8 NLT

One afternoon, earlier this year, I again found myself in the ER.

 I was ambushed by a plethora of symptoms.  Expecting the worst, we had again summoned the paramedics.  Although not exhibiting any classic symptoms of my previous heart attack, I was very concerned as I had never experienced these specific symptoms mimicking one.  Wisdom admonished me to get some answers.

Expecting the worst, I awaited results of several tests.  My anxiousness subsided as no one appeared to be excited about my condition and the heart monitor revealed no significant heart activity to get excited about.

I left the ER that day with the reality that I had entered into a new dimension of life.  My stressful past times had caught up with  me, leaving me with gifts in the form of panic and anxiety attacks.
The landscape of my life is now dotted with  random episodes, another dimension, to all my disappointing ailments in life.

"If I can’t turn around and encourage those behind me, what good is my journey?"

These frequent ambushes, of terrifying, painful, and extremely exhausting moments, have produced an awesome outcome in that they have eased me into another element of trust in God, a renewed sense of His presence in each now time, and more compassion toward those who suffer such episodes.

A "This Is It" Season

I have found that focusing on God’s present and past presence, rehearsing Scripture portions, concentrating on thoughts of gratefulness, spending time with joyful friends, and reliving past joys help ease episodes.
How richly I have experienced God's presence!  The design and intent of custom trials for me has stretched my faith.

Isaiah 41:10New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁰ Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

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