I went to an appointment last week for an eye exam. The appointment should have been easy. In and out with no surprises. However, during the appointment the doctor delivered news that shocked me. I left the eye appointment and immediately went to my family doctor for an unexpected follow up appointment.

I will be honest, as I drove to my family doctor’s office, I fell apart a little. Unexpected news is so hard. I called a friend, and I vividly remember saying “I know the doctor doesn’t have the final say and I know that no weapon formed against me will prosper, but….” and then the tears came. My friend prayed for me and peace flooded my car.

That night, I read Romans 8:28:

 So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.

As I read those words, I realized that what came as unexpected news to me, didn’t surprise God. Not only did the news not surprise God, but every detail of my life is continually woven together to fit God’s plan. A plan that is for my good.

The next day, I woke up with complete peace. I truly believe the reason I can walk in peace the day after hearing unexpected news is because I have been so rooted in scripture this year. Spending time with the Lord every day means I know who my God is, I know His will is healing, and I know no matter what happens He is carrying me. Because I know who my God is and what His word says, I can walk in peace and ignore the lies the enemy tries to yell with unexpected news.

The day I received unexpected news, we had a tree trimmer pruning up our trees for the summer ahead. Many of the trees were probably planted around the time the house was built (2001-ish). I can’t stop thinking about how over the years many terrible storms have blown through, but those trees have stayed strong because they are deeply rooted. Psalms 1:2-3 says this:

Their pleasure and passion is remaining true to the Word of “I Am,” meditating day and night in his true revelation of light. They will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God’s design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of their lives. They are never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ever prosperous.

I love how the scripture says  “rooted by the brooks of bliss”. When we are in the word, we can stand firm in faith – unshaken by unexpected news – because we are deeply rooted in Jesus. In Jesus there is joy. When unexpected news comes like a storm, we don’t have to be uprooted.

It’s been several days since we got unexpected news, and every day I have had to rip out lies and replace them with truth. Just as a tree needs to be watered and cared for to stay healthy, I have to remain in the word to stay near the “brooks of bliss”. As one of my friends says, we have to take the word like medicine every day. It’s essential for our life.

This week, my friend sent me this song. It’s called “Get Ready” by Bethel Music. Its a spontaneous worship song and as I was listening, I was completely undone by the lyrics.

Come break every chain.
Come change everything.
Come silence the waves.

Hold steady, steady.
Ready, ready.
I am about to do what you aren’t expecting.

Life is full of unexpected news, but when we are rooted in the word, we can rest assured that the Lord will carry us through. When we face unexpected news, we can trust that the Lord will silence the waves and change everything… but more than that, unexpected news gives the Lord room to do something completely unexpected in our lives. When He does something unexpected, it is always for our good.

**I do have some follow up appointments scheduled and will be sharing more information once we have an understanding of what is going on. Right now, we are believing that the Lord is already working a miracle and all symptoms will leave and all tests will be clear. Thank you for your prayers as we hold steady and wait on the Lord!