In the immediate days that followed our son’s diagnosis with a congenital heart condition, I was wrought with worry, overcome with anxiety and debilitated with fear.
Thank God I knew what to do – seek Him!
I had had those awful feelings before (when my ex-husband left me while I was pregnant in 1997; I lost the child and later learned he had been having an affair). During that time in my life I sought Christian counsel, attended church and renewed my faith and commitment that Jesus is my Savior, and those were some of the best days of my life.
As part of God’s plan, I soon met my husband and within two years I had a new family including a new son, whom we named Christian because my husband I are are both Christians. We also have two other sons ages 9 and 11.
Christian, 12, has been a healthy child for the most part. Only for the past five years he has suffered from what initially was believed to be hypoglycemia (ruled out) and what last summer was finally diagnosed as migraine headaches. So last month’s revelation that he has a congenital heart condition came as a great surprise.
All part of God’s plan.
On March 26 I spent the evening in the ER with Christian who had a heart rate of around 200 beats per minute for several hours that day. It was a scary time for me but Christian was cool. The doctor performed what appeared to be a magic trick that involved a breathing exercise and pressure that took the high rhythm down immediately. Diagnosis was supraventricular tachycardia - SVT. And follow up at a children’s hospital was arranged. Normal heart rate for a kid is 80 to 120.
The next day Christian and my husband returned from the children’s hospital with a bigger diagnosis - something he apparently was born with; they confirmed the local ER's diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia but discovered it is SVT using an accessory connection - a tiny piece of muscle, smaller than a hair, that bridges the atria and ventricles.
The condition is called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. I will not go into detail here about WPW or its complications but do know that Christian will soon have a procedure to hopefully get rid of the fiber. Please pray for healing and protection for Christian.
On March 28 I sought Christian counsel. I met with a pastor of a local church. I prayed. My family started attending that church, something we’ve done just a few times over the past decade, but never a month of Sundays.
All part of God’s plan.
Thanks to social media, I sought prayer on Facebook as I attempted to lay this burden at His feet, I emailed friends and asked them to place Christian on their church prayer lists. Thank God for the Internet!
We have been blessed. And I know that prayer works and I know that God has a plan. I am not in control. He is.
I also received Scripture from a friend that I want to share because maybe you are experiencing worry, anxiety and fear. Maybe you need to hear God’s Word or maybe you need to read words about God.
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Matthew 11:28 "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is tailor-made and my burden is light."
Another friend shared this with me on Facebook:
God knows exactly where you find yourself, and He is faithful and steadfast. HE also knows Christian's body inside and out and has given doctors great knowledge. I will pray for comfort and peace as you discern the route to take for his complete healing. Be strong and take courage.
Today I have peace even though one month ago I was wrought with worry, overcome with anxiety and debilitated with fear.
All God’s plan. Praise the Lord!
