Set Aside Your Answers To Hear His

Set Aside Your Answers To Hear His

Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing. Isaiah 6:10

Early one morning, Mike called my office. He was having stomach pains and was convinced he had a rare form of cancer. He insisted on seeing me that day.

When he arrived that afternoon, he had a stack of printouts listing diseases and symptoms that matched his experience. He told me about the research he’d done online and the diagnoses he’d considered. He firmly believed that he had a particularly nasty—and rare—cancer, and he was understandably stressed.

When I asked about his symptoms, Mike listed several things that had been bothering him. Though some of his symptoms were consistent with the cancer he had discovered on the Internet, I was able to quickly rule it out. Ultimately, it was something much easier to diagnose and treat—irritable bowel syndrome—but it had worsened as a result of his worrying. After we discussed a treatment plan, Mike went home with a relieved smile on his face.

Coming up with our own answers to physical or spiritual problems can often make us anxious. That’s why I love the opening line of Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God!” Even with my years of medical training and experience, I still rely on God to guide me and to give me insight into the diseases or injuries that cause my patients’ symptoms.

When we go to God with our own list of answers, telling him what we think is wrong, we miss an opportunity to hear his wise diagnosis. Instead, we should present him with our spiritual symptoms—whether we’re experiencing fear, anger, or anxiety—and allow his Word to diagnose our spiritual diseases. No matter if our pain is physical or emotional, God is the one who can heal us. Sometimes he uses doctors—or even an article on the Internet—but if we want to be blessed by his wisdom, we must go to him prepared to listen.

TODAY’S RX

When you hear hoofbeats, you’re more likely to see a horse than a zebra, so take a deep breath before diagnosing yourself with something you read about on the Internet.

Thank you, God, that you have the answers to all my needs. Help me to be still before you, listening for your wisdom as I go through times of worry.