The P.L.A.N.

P.L.A.N. Praying, Leaving, And Noticing. 

It's all part of His good and perfect plan.

     You can make all the plans you want for your life, but they don't always go as intended. God has the absolute best plan for your life. Sometimes it's very difficult to trust in an unknowing future; that's where faith comes in. "For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7).

     I recently had an experience where my flesh's sight could not see the good end, but my faith kept me going. A little backstory: I have a rare autoimmune disease and rheumatoid arthritis in my knees. That in itself is a long story, but I'm not going to get into that right now. I finally (after over a year) started taking a medicine that was helping all my issues. I only took the medicine twice a week and every time I did, I would cough the entire next day. At first, I thought maybe random coughing was just a side effect; that was just the beginning. 

     Months went by and I still had the one-day cough every time I took my medicine. Then, I started to have chest pain and breathing problems every single night. I had to start using my inhaler once a day. Weeks went on, and it kept getting harder to breath. I woke up one Wednesday, and my breathing was so labored that I could barely talk. I got real nauseous and felt feverish. My husband convinced me to stay home from work to rest. The next day, all my symptoms worsened. Friday morning, I used my inhaler three times in a row, and I never felt any relief. My husband and I both agreed that I needed to go to the hospital. 

     I got to my local hospital, and they ran several test. They gave me a breathing treatment that helped some but not enough. The doctor came in and asked me if I brought my toothbrush. Tears filled my eyes. "You're going to be staying a few days." The doctors discovered that I had double pneumonia- caused by the medicine I was taking for autoimmune issues. My lungs were almost solid white on the x-ray. They decided to send me to a more advanced hospital in Nashville. I was terrified. I had faith in the doctors, nurses, and Jesus, but the entire situation I was about to face just wrecked me. 

     Jesus reminded me over and over, "Focus on Me, not the storm." In Matthew 14:28-33, Peter was able to walk on water toward Jesus. He was able to do this because he had his heart and eyes focused on Jesus. Then, Peter realized the strong wind of the storm. He shifted his focus onto the situation instead of the solution (Jesus.) He began to sink as his heart and eyes fell from Jesus. He could have never walked on water alone. We cannot fully succeed at anything without the power of Christ. Jesus calmed the storm for the disciples, and He calms the storms in our lives. We must remember to stayed focused, and trust in Him.

     I had to stay in the hospital for four days. It was the longest four days of my life. Thankfully, my husband and parents stayed with me, so I wasn't alone. I was well-taken care of, but I hope I never have to stay there again. As terrifying as the whole experience was, I felt God's presence so strongly the entire time. I felt so safe, held in His arms. I had to wear an oxygen mask because I couldn't breath well enough on my own. God reassured me that He was breathing life into me. I don't wish anything life-threatening on anyone, but I do wish you could experience the fierce presence of God that I did in those four days.

     Keep your heart and eyes on God's P.L.A.N. Praying without ceasing, Leaving everything to Him, And Noticing His presence in your life. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4.)