I’m writing to you this morning because I don’t really know what else to do.

This morning in just the first few hours of being awake I was made aware of some very serious prayer needs from friends and family. About a week ago my husband and I took our youngest (the one who will play in his first football game ever tonight) to the emergency room in the middle of the night because we couldn’t get his nose to stop bleeding. Oh, and it was bleeding out of his eye too. While I’m thankful that the medical professionals were able to get it stopped and didn’t see anything serious, it was downright scary. It was just a nosebleed, but for his parents, it was serious.

Some of you are dealing with serious health conditions either for yourself or your children today. My heart is heavy for you and that’s why I’m writing.

God loves you. He sees you. He’s with you. He is faithful. He is your healer.

When I’m backed into a scary corner (like in the emergency room) I have a hard time remembering that God is in control. I need to be reminded. Honestly, I can’t be trusted with my own thoughts for very long. It helps to have some scriptures written out on index cards to have in my trash bag, I mean handbag. Like First Aid for my mind.

Like Psalm 91 from The Message:
     91 You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
                 spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
                 Say this: “GOD, you’re my refuge.
                 I trust in you and I’m safe!”
                 That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
                 shields you from deadly hazards.
                 His huge outstretched arms protect you—
                 under them you’re perfectly safe;
                 his arms fend off all harm.
                 Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
                 not flying arrows in the day,
                 Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
                 not disaster that erupts at high noon.
                 Even though others succumb all around,
                 drop like flies right and left,
                 no harm will even graze you.
                 You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
                 watch the wicked turn into corpses.
                 Yes, because GOD’s your refuge,
                 the High God your very own home,
                 Evil can’t get close to you,
                 harm can’t get through the door.
                 He ordered his angels
                 to guard you wherever you go.
                 If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
                 their job is to keep you from falling.
                 You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
                 and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

                 14–16      “If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says GOD,
                 “I’ll get you out of any trouble.
                 I’ll give you the best of care
                 if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
                 Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
                 I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
                 I’ll give you a long life,
                 give you a long drink of salvation!”

Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: The Bible in contemporary language (Ps 91:1–16). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.

You hold on to Him for dear life today. He’s ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go. He is your refuge.

If you’d like, you can leave a comment today and let me know how I can be praying for you specifically.