I just received difficult news about my heart/health. I’ll be honest, it’s knocked me. The past few months, I’ve been recovering, trying to get used to my new normal, visiting cardiologists, wearing heart monitors and generally processing all that’s happened. I’ve always wondered how I’d handle the shit hitting the fan regarding my health. Would it shake my faith? Would I get angry with God? Would I walk away?

Ever since my heart attack in October, I’ve seen my foundation withstand the shaking. Oh, circumstances try and shake the shit out of my foundation. Brokenness, pain, betrayal, loss, health issues-the list goes on and on. Circumstances come and go; what never changes is that God is with me in the mess, fear, pain and shit that life throws at me. This doesn’t mean I am not scared, fearful, freaking my freak and all that. I am. Believe me, I am. I am currently sitting in sackcloth and ashes, mourning (figuratively, that is).

God never promised me an easy life; He did promise He’d never leave me on my own.

How can I remain so firm in my foundation? I have a Biblical heritage. Those who’ve gone before, those who’ve withstood. Those who despite being scared out of their minds, trusted in their God. I really really need those people right now, because THIS IS HOW WE DO IT (cue Montell). Those who are in covenant with God do life this way, regardless of circumstances.

I think of Hezekiah, facing down the deadly Assyrians. Hezekiah trusted;  God came through. I think of the three dudes about to be tossed into the fiery furnace for not bowing down to a foreign idol.  Their response? It’s freaking priceless.

“If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king, but if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”  (Daniel 3:1-18)

#boom    THIS IS HOW WE DO IT.

I think of Job, David,  Mary, Jesus, Paul, Peter,  many countless people who stood their ground and trusted in the God of the Universe, despite the circumstances. Do I want to be healed? Heck yeah. But even if I am not healed, I trust and love my God. Because THIS IS HOW WE DO IT  in God’s family.

 

 

For reference, if  younger than thirty, here is the song that prompted this post: This is how we do it. 

Warning: video is a little risqué. After all, it was the ’90’s.