The Answer to Anxiety

Today I must admit to being anxious. In the six days since I learned I have a cancerous tumor growing in my left breast, I have given myself just five minutes to cry and grieve over what might come of this. Behind a closed door, I questioned and wept, but then I walked out onto the path laid out before me. Conversations with doctors, with family, with dear friends fed the peace I pursued so doggedly, just as the estrogen is feeding my 1 centimeter tumor. And I’ve walked in that peace, saying what I believe: that God knows, that He’s known from the womb, and that He cares, and that He wastes nothing.

Good will come from this…..even this.

But today I am anxious. In two hours I will get in my car and travel to the hospital, where I’ll don that blue cape that opens in the front, and I’ll do exactly what they tell me, walk where they lead for tests in preparation for the surgeon’s knife. I’ll pray as I walk and wait, as others are praying for me, for a good outcome, for a simple, straight-forward removal of the cancer. For those words of comfort — “We got it all. That’s it. You can get on with your life.”

So today, as I’m anxious, and as only God could ordain, my devotional tells me this:

“The answer to anxiety is the adoration of Christ.”

Author Ann Voskamp quotes John Calvin and I am reminded that even in this, I can rejoice, I can adore, I can exalt Christ. I can thank Him for this trial, for the fear that has pulled me closer to Him and to those I love.

I trust Him for a right outcome, I really do. His “right” may not be mine, but I pledge to exalt Him in it, to give Him glory for healing, for the wisdom of doctors, for the faith of family and friends.

I can’t do much heavy lifting immediately after this surgery, but I can do a little dancing, a little lifting of hands in worship and praise. Were I a braver soul, I could be dancing down the hallways of the hospital in my silly blue cape, exalting and adoring Him who created me and has known me from the womb…….knows me even now.

At the very least, I can say “Thank you, God, for even this.”

38 Comments

  1. brendayoder

    And I am praying here for you morning. Standing watching a woman of whom I have the privilege to call friend. Keep me posted. Oh my, what six days will bring. Love you Ingrid.

  2. brendayoder

    And I am praying here for you morning. Standing watching a woman of whom I have the privilege to call friend. Keep me posted. Oh my, what six days will bring. Love you Ingrid.

  3. Ingrid Lochamire

    Thank you so much, Brenda, for your support and encouragement. I’ll let you know.

  4. Ingrid Lochamire

    Thank you so much, Brenda, for your support and encouragement. I’ll let you know.

  5. Robert Mishler

    Ill be praying for you, Ken and the boys. God is good, God is good all the time.

  6. Robert Mishler

    Ill be praying for you, Ken and the boys. God is good, God is good all the time.

  7. Nancy Warren

    Praying for you this morning….and always!

  8. Nancy Warren

    Praying for you this morning….and always!

  9. Tina Guijosa

    You have arrived Ingrid. Such an awesome place to be. In His place of rest the all human fear, and doubt is stripped away. It is God’s anointing over you, no human nor nothing of this world can take it away. I rejoice in that place with you. Praise God, praise God!!!

    ~

  10. Tina Guijosa

    You have arrived Ingrid. Such an awesome place to be. In His place of rest the all human fear, and doubt is stripped away. It is God’s anointing over you, no human nor nothing of this world can take it away. I rejoice in that place with you. Praise God, praise God!!!

    ~

  11. cindy

    As your Aunt I am setting here crying and praying for you and your family. God is in control and we praise Him for all He does.

  12. cindy

    As your Aunt I am setting here crying and praying for you and your family. God is in control and we praise Him for all He does.

  13. Kathy Hull Becze

    You’ll be in my heart and prayers all day and even longer as you walk this journey. Good WILL come from this!

  14. Kathy Hull Becze

    You’ll be in my heart and prayers all day and even longer as you walk this journey. Good WILL come from this!

  15. Lib McDowell

    Have and will continue praying. Let me know what you find out.

  16. Lib McDowell

    Have and will continue praying. Let me know what you find out.

  17. Jane Wilson

    Dear Ingrid… Wow. This is unwelcome news. Not the kind of thing we desire to walk through. What a relief God walks through these things with us. The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy. (Psalms 147:11 NKJV) Standing with you.

  18. Jane Wilson

    Dear Ingrid… Wow. This is unwelcome news. Not the kind of thing we desire to walk through. What a relief God walks through these things with us. The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy. (Psalms 147:11 NKJV) Standing with you.

  19. Tari

    Dear Ingrid,
    I will be praying for you, also. Tari

  20. Tari

    Dear Ingrid,
    I will be praying for you, also. Tari

  21. Cindy Schmidt

    Thank you for sharing your feelings and confidence in the Lord. Have been and will continue to pray for you and the family.

  22. Cindy Schmidt

    Thank you for sharing your feelings and confidence in the Lord. Have been and will continue to pray for you and the family.

  23. Kendra

    Isn’t that just like the Lord to give you that devotional! Adore Him. I love it. Your writing is anointed, by the One who gives you strength . You have put into words what for many is so hard to express….the crazy world of trust/anxiety that is so normal for this journey . You are not in denial, 🙂 but held close by our dear Father. I’ve been praying for you, sweet sister,

  24. Kendra

    Isn’t that just like the Lord to give you that devotional! Adore Him. I love it. Your writing is anointed, by the One who gives you strength . You have put into words what for many is so hard to express….the crazy world of trust/anxiety that is so normal for this journey . You are not in denial, 🙂 but held close by our dear Father. I’ve been praying for you, sweet sister,

  25. Aunt Lila

    How blessed YOU are to have the FAITH IN GOD..I hope someday I can become that confident, that cool, that calm and that sure that all will be good..You are one heck of a woman..Ken and boys be proud of your mama and love her more each day. Women like her are hard to come by..God is good..He loves you all and so do we..Prayers will continue..

  26. Aunt Lila

    How blessed YOU are to have the FAITH IN GOD..I hope someday I can become that confident, that cool, that calm and that sure that all will be good..You are one heck of a woman..Ken and boys be proud of your mama and love her more each day. Women like her are hard to come by..God is good..He loves you all and so do we..Prayers will continue..

  27. Terri Ellis

    Ingrid, thank you for sharing. We CAN trust that God knows best! Praying…

  28. Terri Ellis

    Ingrid, thank you for sharing. We CAN trust that God knows best! Praying…

  29. Lori McGraw

    Beautifully put Ingrid! You are and always have been a great inspiration to me. <3

  30. Lori McGraw

    Beautifully put Ingrid! You are and always have been a great inspiration to me. <3

  31. nanettey

    Praying…

  32. nanettey

    Praying…

  33. Sheli

    You are in my thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you out. Love to you.

  34. Sheli

    You are in my thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you out. Love to you.

  35. Ingrid Lochamire

    I am overwhelmed and blessed by the outpouring of love and support from my dear friends. All is well, therapy to follow. God bless YOU on your journey!

  36. Ingrid Lochamire

    I am overwhelmed and blessed by the outpouring of love and support from my dear friends. All is well, therapy to follow. God bless YOU on your journey!

Pin It on Pinterest