‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ‘ Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
‘A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.’ Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT)
‘For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.’ 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NLT)
‘Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. ‘ Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
‘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)
Surgery can often be looked at as a battle. A battle to restore you to health. In every battle, there is tension and it is common for anxiety to build in the days leading up to your surgery. This growing pressure can manifest in numerous ways including an increased heart rate, sleepless nights and restless thoughts. And it is here, in the battlefield of our mind, that we must make intentional moves to take captive our thoughts and defeat our preoperative anxiety.
First, proactively prepare for battle yourself and put on the full armor of God to stand against the schemes of your spiritual enemy who is attacking you with confusion and anxiety. Take hold of the Shield of Faith to fight for conviction and assurance of the desired surgical outcome that you cannot yet see. Use scripture (the Sword!), such as 1 Corinthians 14:33, to remind you that God is not a God of disorder, but of peace, to take captive your anxious thoughts and make them obedient to Christ.
Next, remember that your surgeon and surgical team have done hundreds, if not thousands, of these procedures and are preparing diligently to serve you. We are coordinating, sterilizing and preparing tools and equipment, all with the singular purpose of serving you and restoring you back to health. Additionally, we are all reviewing your x-rays, advanced imaging, surgical history and any other relevant information to create a thorough plan and best prepare our minds to succeed in the coming battle.
So, prepare for your surgical battle. Put on your armor, take captive your anxious thoughts, and step forward with confidence in the days leading up to your surgery.
from Restoring Life: Anxiety