What Do You Do When You Hear the Words “Heart Attack”?
Yesterday afternoon I received a phone call telling me that my father had suffered a heart attack. I was told that it did not appear serious and I was able to speak with him on the phone a couple of hours later. I’m sitting in the hospital waiting room now while he undergoes a catheterization procedure to assess the damage and “fix” the problem if possible . I know that many people receive worse medical news but news like this isn’t something that any of us wants to hear…so what do we do?
Interestingly enough, my Bible reading this morning was in Ephesians chapter 5 and the following verse was in there: 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Hmmm….So I’m supposed to give thanks for my father having a heart attack? Or is my father really to give thanks that he had a heart attack? The answer to both questions is a resounding “Yes”! It is God’s desire that I give thanks and that you give thanks in ALL things; even the things that are tragic or the smaller things that disrupt our day or our nap. We are told in other passages of the New Testament to give thanks so this command by Paul in Ephesians is not an isolated occurrence.
Giving thanks, even in difficult times, is an acknowledgement of the sovereignty of God. Giving thanks in difficult times is an agreement with God regarding His love for us and others. Giving thanks in difficult times is an act of faith, trusting that even in dark days, His light will shine and reveal His plan and purpose. Giving thanks in difficult times moves us to pray for God’s will to be done and it keeps God in the forefront of our minds. So, what do you do when you hear the words “heart attack”? You give thanks, and you pray and you serve and you rest in the peace that passes all understanding. Thanks for you prayers for my dad.