Don’t Trade What You Do Know for What You Don’t

Week 18, Tuesday

Debbie Stuart

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

On March 19, 2009, one day before our ladies’ retreat at Prestonwood Baptist Church, my husband, John Mark, was taken to the ER and within a few hours was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure stage 4 (the worst stage). The shock took hours to work through. We were preparing to celebrate twenty-five years of marriage. He was forty-six years old and had never been admitted to the hospital before. The shock turned to fear and in the early morning hours I found myself asking the Lord “life questions” I had never before considered.

“Lord, I don’t know how I could live without him. I don’t know that our kids would be okay. I don’t know about insurance, retirement, his job, our future . . .”

Immediately I sensed the Lord say, “My child, don’t trade what you do know for what you don’t know.” Over the years and through some tragedies the Lord taught me some things I would never forget.

The Lord helped me recall the things that I did know. Because I am a list maker and a visual learner, I grabbed my notebook and turned the page from all the information the doctors had just delivered (which prompted my list of things I did not know) and I began my new list of what I did know.

I know that He is a companion to the lonely.

I know that He is strength to the weak.

I know that He is near to the brokenhearted.

I know that He is an adjuster of my attitude.

I know that He is Creator of the impossible.

I know that His is the lifter of my head.

I know that He is in control, that He is responsible for the outcome, and that it will lead to something good.

My list went on for three pages. My friend, I must remind you: Don’t let how you feel override what you know!

When you are left out of the divine loop and the unexpected causes fear and doubt, remember that you can do this thing because you know some things. I encourage you to grab a pen and notebook and record what you know.

Lord, thank You for teaching me and helping me know some things about You. Help me focus on those things and not other things. I want to know more about You, Lord. I open my heart, mind, and emotions. I don’t want to miss a thing! Amen.