Read Day 7, “Muzzled,” in Come With Me Devotional.
While you read this, I’m under anesthesia.
I shared my “scarred” journey in a blog post called “I’m Scarred, but I’m Strong and So are You” several weeks ago.
A simple doctor’s appointment led to a discovery of early melanoma on my shoulder — which led to a massive scar, which is still healing. I went in to have those stitches removed and the doctor noticed a small spot on my lip. He took a biopsy, and it came back with a different kind of cancer.
So, here I am today at the hospital. I’m asleep while they cut on my face. I’m asleep while you read this. When I wake up, I don’t know if I’ll discover five stitches or twenty. I don’t know how deep they will have had to cut, or if it will alter my smile. A plastic surgeon will repair the damage after the cancer is removed. (I wasn’t able to convince him to fix anything else that might need a little work while he’s at it! 😉)
My friends and family have asked this same question over and over these past few weeks.
Are you okay?
I am, because I believe there’s an invitation for me — even in this.
There are lots of invitations floating around when things are scary, some good, others not so much. I am invited to follow worry which leads to angst, which invites me to despair. I can follow anxious thoughts, which produce a hundred different scenarios, and none of them positive. I can follow expert opinions or look it up on Google (never, ever look up facial cancer on Google, just saying.)
Instead, I embraced this invitation today:
Jesus invites us to give him our anxious thoughts.
In Luke 4, a troubled man is tormented. Jesus sees beyond his anxious thoughts to the man beneath. He speaks in authority, muzzling the brokenness within. The man accepts Jesus’ invitation, and it changes everything.
While I may not identify with this man’s story completely, I know what it is for anxious feelings to storm in. Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t shy away from our anxious thoughts. He looks beyond the outward symptoms to see us individually. He stills our disquieting thoughts.
[bctt tweet=”Jesus doesn’t shy away from our anxious thoughts. #ComeWithMe #livingfreetogether ” username=”suzanneeller”]
As I watch this scene unfold between the tormented man and Jesus, I sense this beautiful invitation:
Don’t beat yourself up with anxious thoughts. We’ve got this.
The man was no longer alone in his battle.
This changes the course of our anxious thoughts.
I don’t know if I’ll post pictures today after surgery. The last time I had a phone after anesthesia was kind of a disaster. I posted selfies after a wisdom tooth removal that never should have seen the light of day. I don’t even remember taking them!
What I do know is that God’s got this. He has already muzzled the chaos of my anxious thoughts to bring me peace. Whether I wake up with five or twenty stitches in the small space between my lip and nose, I’m in his hands.
You might not be having surgery today, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t battling anxious thoughts.
If you are, your Savior sees you. The fact that you struggle with those thoughts doesn’t push Him away. Instead, he asks to join you in the midst of them and walk through them with you.
Grab that invitation. Hold it close. See where it leads.
Suzie
21 Life Changing Invitations as We Walk with Jesus
Invitation #7: The fact that you struggle with anxious thoughts doesn’t push God away. He longs to settle your heart with peace.
- Read 2nd Thessalonians 3:16
- Note that Jesus doesn’t just offer peace, but “his” peace. How does that change this invitation?
Live it
- Sometimes we just don’t have the words to pray. If you are struggling with anxious thoughts, here is a free prayer booklet just for you. Download it. Share it. These started as my words, but they become yours as you share them. God hears every word you speak, I promise.
If you want more prayers, I also wrote an Ebook (it’s $1.99) titled Come With Me Prayers: 31 Prayers for the Journey.
21 Life Changing Invitations as We Walk with Jesus
Suzanne
You are in my prayers this morning
Your writings, your strength, your encouragement…..speaks to my soul. Thank you
Thank you Suzie. May you have a successful surgery!
Keeping you in prayer, Suzie. 💗
Prayers abound for my friend and for all the women reading who are anxious over something or someone in their life. Lord, Give us your peace at all times and in every situation. Amen
Praying for you today Suzie. And prayers for the women who are worrying about anything in their life today. We can worry until we are sick but Jesus doesn’t want that for us. Grasp onto His welcome hand, He will guide you through it.
I am praying for you today Suzie! 🙏❤
Love, hugs and prayers Suzie!
Suzie, praying for you. Thank you for your example of Who we lean into when we are battling anxiety. Praying His peace over you today, friend. ❤️
Suzie, I have prayed for you this morning. I prayed for healing, and for strength as you go through this surgery. Thank you for sharing your fears, and how you handle them. It’s putting God’s word into action that brings us closer to Him. It also brings others closer to Him as they see you fully trusting Him. I too needed to give my anxiety over some things to Him, but I needed your words of encouragement today to nudge me to do it. Thank you! I have released my anxieties to Him. I am at peace.
Please keep us updated on your progress as I continue to pray for you.
Praying for you!! Love you!!! Thanks for sharing!!
When I was very anxious about my son and what was going on in his life, God spoke to me very gently but firm. He said Jody, I’ve got him, he’s one of mine. He belongs to me. Instantly my anxiety was gone and how clear it became to me that no matter what we are facing, as long as we belong to him no harm will come to us. Road blocks yes but when we receive his gift of salvation he has us. He has you Suzie.
Lifting you up in prayer this morning Suzie for a minimal incision and stitches. You are beautiful inside and out my friend-a little scar will just add to your amazing testimony!!
When I start to feel anxious I just tell the enemy: Not today, Not tomorrow, Not EVER!! Sweet friend YOU taught me that one!!
I love that late last night (wee morning hours for your time zone) I was given the words “God’s got this, and you” to share with you. The Holy Spirit wants you to deeply rest (anesthesia will do 😀) and trust in that truth. I know it won’t be easy. The mirror will reflect a swollen and stitched face — but look deeper. There is a beautiful and strong woman there, who’s leading others to be strong and deeply beautiful. It’s okay to be weak, too. You know why. Jesus will be your strength and in Him, you can rest. Bless you today! 💕🙏🏻
Amen. RebeccaLynn
Thank you, friend. 💕
Praying for you today, friend. I hope that when you wake up, you will feel God’s presence powerfully around you, and that his peace will flood your soul.
Prayers for you!! Needed this reminder today!
Praying for healing and rest in him. I go through this study and feel many days were written for me. I had already studied them. God keeps prodding me along. His invitation today was calm your heart and listen. Blessings to you, Suzie.
Great reminder: our God is only a prayer away. He provides peace in the midst of a storm. Praying for complete healing for you, Suzie!
Sending prayers for minimal stitches and complete healing! Take care of yourself. Thank you for being authentic, vulnerable, and transparent. Your writings, comments, and personal response from the other day on the COMPEL site inspire me.
Prayerfully yours,
Doris Hoke
Lord has his hands wrapped around you tightly . strength will come from Holy Spirit.
My prayer our with you .I want you known your special women. I know what like be anxious all the time. Lord give you Peace
He loves you so much.
Suzie,
I have come across your blog from a simple shared blog post on Facebook. Your words speak right to me, and offer so much peace and hope. I can’t even begin to tell you how human we all are and how much ease you offer in your blogs. You are very encouraging, and I have added you to my prayer list. I’m sorry to hear about the cancer, and I am praying for you. I can’t wait to continue reading about your blogs, and the healing that is to come in Jesus name for your cancer. Please continue to keep us all updated.
Much love,
Christina