“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life…Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”                                                                                                                     

Matthew 6:27 & 34

Perhaps you have heard the old saying that originated from these same verses: “Don’t borrow trouble.” Who of us has not experienced some level of anxiety? It is a normal emotional reaction, part of being human, and can be caused by any number of life stressors. I never truly related to these bible verses until four years ago, when a diagnostic MRI scan of my cervical spine/neck revealed a significant circulatory abnormality in my brain, just behind my left ear.

I was immediately referred to a neurosurgeon and scheduled for a cerebral angiogram in order to determine “next steps”.  A host of emotions came crashing down on me as I became the patient that I had cared for so many times in my career as a nurse. Worrisome thoughts focused on “what if…what if…what if” and included all the potential risks and side effects related to diagnosis and treatment for what turned out to be a Type 4-dural arterio-venous fistula (DAVF).

My primary care doctor was encouraging when he stated what a blessing it was that the radiologist made the incidental finding/discovery on the MRI when he did. The outcome and results could have been much more serious if left undetected and untreated, with a high risk for brain hemorrhage and death. I began to focus on the phrases “Don’t borrow trouble” and “Do not be anxious about tomorrow.”

These words from Matthew became my mantra over the next several weeks. Daily prayers kept my anxiety level in check and I felt an inner peace that I could not explain. I stopped  worrying about what “the next day” was going to bring. I experienced an inner peace that I could not explain and stayed with me throughout. As it turned out, I had an excellent outcome.

Ironically, the neck pain that initiated the diagnostic MRI in the first place, suddenly disappeared without any explanation. I often wonder if that was an intentional sign from God that resulted in the miraculous discovery and treatment of this potentially life-threatening, medical issue.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me feel Your presence in my life so that I don’t waste time and energy being anxious about tomorrow. Thank You for being my rock and salvation; for all Your blessings and gifts to me. I will sing Your praises and bring all my burdens to You in prayer so that I may celebrate today.