Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
My baby girl was only six weeks old when she was hospitalized with a meningitis scare. As soon as we got to the hospital, the staff rushed Christie away from my arms to get blood work and a spinal tap. She was so tiny and vulnerable and I desperately wanted to go with her for those tests, but they wouldn’t let me.
When they brought her back to me, an IV was attached to her head because her veins were so small. I was terrified for her. We had to wait seventy-two hours for the results of her blood work to come back, so she had to stay in the hospital until then. I never left her side.
On her second night in the hospital, Christie was still feverish and struggling to sleep. I thought I was going to lose my mind to consuming fear for her. I knew I needed to get a grip so I could mother my child and she not sense my fear as I nursed her in her hospital room. I cried out to God to calm my anxious heart.
I’ll never forget how He brought to my mind two verses I learned as a little girl when I’d be fearful in the night. Tucked away in Philippians 4:6–7, we are told to not worry about anything but instead pray about everything. We’re also promised if we do that, His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
So that is what I chose to do that dark night when it seemed fear was winning the battle over my mind. I turned my worries into prayers. I asked God to guard my heart and mind and help me to trust Him. And He did.
I had been dwelling in and memorizing Psalm 139 when I was pregnant with Christie, so I began to pray through those beautiful words written thousands of years ago. That prayer went something like this . . .
Dear Lord Jesus, Your Word tells me that all the days ordained for Christie were written in Your book before one of them came to be, even this day in this hospital room.
I know You love Christie even more than I do and I surrender her to You.
Please calm my fears for her and help me to trust You. You are a good and faithful God no matter what You choose for her life. In Your powerful name, I pray, Amen.
Friends, baby Christie ended up not having meningitis, so she was released from the hospital after her fever broke and the test results came back negative. Christie is now a mama of three little ones of her own. As their grandmother (they call me MoMo) I continue to try to pray Scriptures like Philippians 4 and Psalm 139 whenever I worry about their health or safety. I love how God uses His Word to calm our hearts and minds as we turn our worries into prayers.
Connect with Judy:
IG: @judydunagan
Website: JudyDunagan.com (subscribe for free resource “Power of Praying Scripture”
Resource: Judy’s Book: The Loudest Roar: Living in the Unshakable Victory of Christ
Email address: JudyBubeckDunagan@gmail.com
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