Jen’s Gem: God is bigger than you think.

Several hours after writing last week’s blog post, I landed in the emergency room. For about a day or so prior, I had felt like there was an elephant parked on my chest. I chalked it up to potential indigestion. Yet, when my arm and neck started aching and my throat became sore, I knew something was up.

I decided a trip to the urgent care might be in order. Before I left, I called a friend to pray for me and yes, talk me off the “heart attack” ledge. Instructions from the doctor were simple: go to the ER. Yay – because that’s how I want to spend my precious weekend hours.

On the way to the hospital, I called my friend again and we prayed. I walked in to a fairly empty waiting area and my spirits were lifted thinking that I’d get in quickly. Plus since the urgent care facility called ahead, I figured that I would be a shoe in. I mean, I was having chest pain. Yeah, no. I sat with the other minions.

Just as I was about to nix the whole thing and go home, my name was called and into the bowels of the ER I went. Hours and multiple tests later, I was sent home with a “You’re fine. Go live your life” prescription.

A few days later, my new washer and dryer arrived. Yes – my appliance saga continues. The installers tested the machine and all seemed well with the world. As I returned to my computer to work, something didn’t feel right. I decided to check on the machine.

I was met with water all over the floor and it was pouring out over the basin of the washer. I moved the shut-off valve to “off” yet the water kept coming. I turned off the machine. The water kept coming. I moved every lever known to man and I prayed out loud like a lunatic. I texted my friend and asked her to pray. The water stopped.

Calls to the appliance store and my plumber were made. Within a few hours, a load of laundry was done successfully. I sat at my dining room table and cried. I cried like an overtired toddler. The stress of the past 48 hours had welled up into my tear ducts and gushed out just like the water in my washer.

In between the crocodile tears, I sent up prayers of thanks to God for stopping the water. I thanked Him that the plumber came so quickly and that nothing was wrong with the shut-off valve or the washing machine. I thanked Him that although my heart was racing throughout this process, it was working just as He designed.

Now here’s the crazy part. I thanked God for these two hiccups. Yes. You read that right. I thanked Him. Why? Each of them drew me closer to Him and put Him top of mind throughout both ordeals. In each of these situations, I declared my prayers out loud for others to hear. The doctors, nurses, appliance repair people, and my son.

How we handle the crisis in our lives says a lot about our character. The Bible tells us that “out of the heart flow the issues of life.” (Luke 6:45) What does this mean? Simply put, if your heart is full of love, forgiveness, and peace, those are the words you will speak and the actions you will take. Conversely, if your heart is full of hatred and unforgiveness…well, you know the rest.

Years ago, my reaction to a crisis was vastly different. Colorful language likely would’ve popped out of my mouth. I would’ve been mean to the appliance guys and plumber. I would’ve blamed them for the mishap and gone on a tirade. I would’ve called no one to pray for me. I certainly would not have thanked God for the troubles.

Here’s what I’ve learned about God. God is bigger and more powerful than a leaking washer. He’s bigger than a CAT scan. He’s bigger than all of these things combined and more! His words do not return Him void.

“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”  (Isaiah 55:11 NKJV)

“No weapon formed against me shall prosper. No plague or pestilence shall come near me or my house. I am the head and not the tail.” These were the words that gushed out of me.

I did what I could in the natural and He did what only He can do in the supernatural. Years ago I would not have known to take these actions. Today I’m beyond grateful that I know differently. God is bigger than any obstacle you may be facing right now.

Let me repeat that. He’s bigger.

He’s bigger than a job loss. He’s bigger than your bank account. He’s bigger than a poor medical report. He’s bigger than a troubled marriage. He’s the Creator of the universe – so yeah, He’s bigger than the universe! (Hint: If you’re praying to the universe, you’re praying to something smaller than God.)

Let’s face it. We are all going to face a storm or two in our lives. Do you have an emergency plan? If not, it might be a good time to develop one. Be sure yours has God’s words in it.