Psalm 56:3-4
“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4
When I read this, I hear a man declaring his trust in God. Yet I also hear him asking himself, “Why should I be afraid? What can man do to me?” He is using reason to conclude that God is trustworthy.
I believe God sometimes allows us to face frightening circumstances because it’s the only way we’ll discover who or what we truly trust. When life is going smoothly, it’s easy to think we trust in God alone. But when we feel trapped with nowhere to turn, our faith becomes real. We’re forced to use the same reasoning the Psalmist used.
Last year, I had thyroid cancer. One of my biggest fears (irrational, I know) was having to take thyroid medication. So when my doctor wanted to scan my thyroid and then do a biopsy, I was consumed with fear that it would have to be removed. One day, while I was quietly waiting before the Lord for the biopsy results, I sensed Him ask, “Can you trust Me with your thyroid?” I was startled. That was the million-dollar question.
The biopsy confirmed cancer. For months, I kept returning to that same question. I came face-to-face with both my faith and my lack of faith. It wasn’t a simple process, but eventually I concluded that God is trustworthy in this area of my life. They removed only half of my thyroid, and thankfully, I still don’t need medication. That could change someday, but the question has been answered. Yes, I trust Him with my thyroid.
I believe that question will always be before each of us in one form or another. It may involve our health, our family, or our finances, but it always includes uncertainty about the future. We’ll continue asking ourselves this question as long as we live because uncertainty is part of life on this side of heaven. But that’s okay. If I trust in God, what is there to fear? And when I breathe my last breath, He will be there. I will have no reason to be afraid.
Judy Linscheid
Writing Team