As I headed into the dressing room to prepare for a second mammogram, I was apprehensive. I had been negligent about having my annual checkups, and a previous scan two weeks earlier revealed “structural changes” that the doctor wanted to check out more thoroughly.

After quite a few “screen shots,” the technician went to see the doctor. She returned, “He wants you to have an ultrasound.” Tension mounted.

I moved next door where the ultrasound technician scanned and scanned. A peep at the screen was frightening since I didn’t know what I was viewing. I closed my eyes and prayed—best not to second guess what was on the monitor.

The technician left to report to the doctor, and minutes later he slipped into the room behind me. “We need to schedule you for a needle ultrasound biopsy. If it’s positive, you will probably need a lumpectomy and possibly radiation. I need to add that it looks very suspicious.”

Since I have little immediate family history of breast cancer, I was in shock. I had a hard time focusing on what the technician was telling me about the next steps. She scheduled the biopsy and took me to the next station to schedule an appointment for the evaluation report.

The scheduler was very comforting. She told me about her mom who had had the same procedure done successfully. I left the office still shell shocked.

My facial expressions must have betrayed my inner turmoil. When I ran in Staples to pick up some items, the checkout clerk asked, “Is everything O.K.?” I responded almost tearfully, “Yes. Just got some bad news at the doctor’s office.”

She, too, was very comforting as she told me about her grandmother’s recent bad news.

I texted the family to give them an update. A quick response from daughter-in-law Kandee brought me back to reality. “It’s all okay. God has this.”

And He does.

Driving home, I was overwhelmed with a sense of peace.

Daughter-in-law Heather, who is a radiation therapist and manages a radiation therapy clinic in Mooresville, dropped by to reassure me and explain the ins and outs of breast cancer surgery. Her mother, Debbie, is a breast cancer survivor.

A conversation with daughter-in-law Stephanie who has had a needle biopsy which thankfully turned out not to be cancer gave further reassurance.

Exhausted from the day, I fell into bed and slept much better than usual.

When I sat down for my quiet time the following morning, I detailed the previous day’s events in my journal and began to pray, “Lord, I was really scared for awhile. Forgive me! Carry me through the days ahead.”

His response came immediately as I picked up “Jesus Always,” a favorite devotional book, and read:

“Do not let fear or mistakes immobilize you or make you anxious. . . Seek my face.”

One of the focal passages was Romans 8:38-39 (NLT):

^“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Wow! What reassurance!

I read the next passage:

Psalm 73:24-26 (NLT)

You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
 Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
    but God remains the strength of my heart;
    he is mine forever.”

I then picked up Open Window, a second devotional book. The title for the day’s meditation–“Fear Not” –jumped off the page.

It began, “I have a friend who is walking through a pretty daunting illness. It’s something she never imagined having to do, and it’s a very scary time for her. Bur over and over in Scripture and through friends, God has reminded her that He is with her. The Lord has made it clear that He’s got this and she doesn’t need to be afraid.”

He’s got this! Ummh! I heard that yesterday from Kandee.

I read on:

“Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 43:5 NLT)

I finally opened Daily Bread. The title: “He Calms the Storms” was based on Matthew 14. The disciples were out in a storm. They were terrified, and then Jesus came walking toward them on the water. ^“ But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” (Matthew 14:27 NLT)

Needless to say, as I concluded my quiet time, I just had to sit down and write this blog post about the miraculous way the Lord had met me in my despair and confusion and reassured me that indeed HE’S GOT THIS!!

While sitting quietly and listening to the Still Small Voice, I was reminded of my friend, Hazel, who is going through a similar experience. She, too, is returning for a third checkup. She shared her situation with me on Tuesday–two days before my own appointment. Her final words to me, “I am not afraid. Satan is trying to mess with me, but I know the Lord, and HE’S GOT THIS!!”

Several years ago, Jeff, a good friend of mine, was dealing with pancreatic cancer. Two weeks before he passed away, he stood in the pulpit of Trading Ford Baptist Church and shared his testimony. He said, “Regardless of the outcome, I am going to be O.K.” That, friends, should be the testimony of all Christians. Jeff went on to say that his verse during his illness had been Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV):

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.”

In the days following his death, I was amazed at the strength his widow Meredith and his family showed. When asked about how she did it, she said, “We decided as a family that if Jeff could be strong with what he was facing, we could be, too.”

HE’S GOT THIS!!

Praise God, He is always there for me. Praise God, he has sent me people along the way to encourage me. Praise God, He has given me a wonderful family—and a tremendous Forever Family made up of prayer warriors. HE’S GOT THIS!!

Challenge: What about you? Are you facing problems today that threaten to overwhelm you? Pray, Trust, Obey! He’s Got This! Take time to read the Word. Write down what the Lord seems to be saying to you in a journal. Make a list of the blessings you DO have in your gratitude journal.

Regardless of the outcome, HE’S GOT THIS!!

P.S. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you have not had your annual mammogram, make your appointment today! It could be a matter of life and death.

This year, an estimated 268,600 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 62,930 women will be diagnosed with in situ breast cancer. An estimated 2,670 men in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer. It is estimated that 42,260 deaths (41,760 women and 500 men) from breast cancer will occur this year.

These are staggering numbers. Get your checkups annually!