I Can Do All Things Through Christ

     Last week I was praying to have a Urinary Tract Infection.  I know that sounds a bit odd, but after a questionable test result at the urologist, an infection was the least worrisome of all the possibilities for my symptom.  Unfortunately, there was no infection and I was sent to the next step, a cat scan to look at my pelvis. The scan was supposed to be a ten minute process (I could handle that!), with just a couple of pictures and it was, at first.  After the machine scanned me a couple of times, I was done and was sent out to the waiting room to wait for my cat scan film, which I did not realize they sent with me, then the technician came back out to the waiting room and presented the bad news. She told me the Radiologist would like to take some more pictures.  What?  I had bravely made it through the first round and now I had to change back into the lovely clothes they provide and do the whole process again?  In addition, I needed to undergo an iodine IV for a contrast cat scan.

     As I lay on the table again, I will admit I started to get a little upset because this second round was a surprise and I hate surprises! However, it was at that point the Lord reminded me of Philippians 4:13:  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  I began to repeat that verse over and over in my head, as the IV was placed in my arm, as the iodine was shot into my body, and as I took several more breath holds while the machine did its work.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me….I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me…”  Before I knew it, the process was once again over, and I was back in the waiting room again.

     Interestingly enough, the focus verse of our pastor’s sermon on Sunday was Philippians 4:13.  It was a confirmation that no matter how difficult our circumstances are, we can make it through anything this world tosses at us with the power of Christ running through us.  Today as I await the cat scan results and as panic tries to slip in the back door, I am slamming the door shut on worry as I repeat Philippians 4:13 again to myself and choose to believe it.  It is at that point, the peace begins to cover me and I know I can get through this, no matter what the outcome.