“We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 NLT

On March 19, 2009, life as I had known it, was forever changed. My husband, John Mark Stuart was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure Stage 4 (the worst). Doctors suggested he may not live through the night. He was 46 at that time. The shock took hours to work through. We were preparing to celebrate 25 years of marriage. The shock wave turned to fear and in the early morning hours I found myself asking the Lord things about life I had never considered.

Lord, I do not know how I could live without him. I do not know that our kids will be okay. I do not know about insurance, retirement, his job, our future…

Immediately, I sensed the Lord say – “My child, don’t trade what you don’t know for what you do know”.

The Lord helped me to recall 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 God 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 Creator of the impossible.

I know that He 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. And my list went on for 3 pages.

Precious one, do not let how you feel override what you know about God!

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

Debbie Stuart