A few years ago, I saw Nichole Nordeman in concert. Not only is she a fantastic songwriter and singer, but she tells beautiful stories as well. Before singing the song, “We Build,” she talked about a hard time in her marriage and thinking, “I’m going to write a song about this when I get through it.” God spoke to her heart and said, “write it now,” and so she did. In the midst of pain and heartache she wrote about redemption and hope.

And God blessed her and her marriage.

That story has always stuck with me. How often do I say, “When God does this, I am going to do that”?

I have been thinking about God and the way he answers prayer a lot lately. You see, my mom is going to have brain surgery today. 

My family has a long history of brain aneurysms, which has increased our worry of the possible outcomes. I know the bible says we should not worry, but I cannot help myself. My great-grandmother died of a burst aneurysm, and my grandmother has had two brain surgeries, both of which impacted her negatively.

My mom has a large aneurysm in the delicate spot in her brain that controls her speech and motor skills.

Obviously, risk is involved.

But, I am going to believe that God is going to bring her through this surgery with flying colors.

I am going to believe that this aneurysm is going to be different than the others in my family.

I am going to believe that God will heal my mom – even before he does.

Would you prayer for my mom today and in the weeks ahead? If all goes well, she will be out of the hospital this weekend, but she will still have several weeks of recovery. Here are specific prayer requests:

• That the aneurysm does not bleed out or burst while the doctors are operating.
• That the doctor and his team will not make any errors. 
• That the doctor will be able to complete the surgery (sometimes complications cause the doctor to have to stop before he finishes the procedure.)
• That my mom will not be negatively impacted by complications.
• That God will be glorified. 

Thank you for your prayers. I believe there is strength when many come together at the throne of the Lord. (If you want specific updates on my mom, please follow me on Twitter.)

I encourage you to also meditate on a time when God brought you through a difficult experience. Or if you are in a tough spot, are you able to think about the “light at the end of the tunnel” or do you find yourself wallowing in despair?

God knows the end when you are in the midst of that turmoil.

He knows you will be okay.

Do you believe that?

by Jessica Turner

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