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3.29.2011

Anxiety Driven Memorization

I had one of those days yesterday that I hope not to repeat.  The kids were fine. They were great actually.  But I had to make a return trip to...

The dentist. 

Yes, everyone take a deep breath with me.  I don't know why, but as I told you a few weeks ago my teeth have gone from perfectly clean and cavity free to needing some "work."  4 fillings to be exact. 

Anyway, I found myself in that chair for 2 hours enduring and I do mean *enduring* my appointment.  The only bright spot in the whole thing was that as I was in that chair and starting to feel anxiety over what was happening in my mouth, I was searching for ANYTHING to keep my mind off of it.  And thankfully, what came to mind were my 6 verses from the SSMT.  Yesterday morning, I probably couldn't have told you all 6 verses, word for word.  But in that chair, while desperately trying to keep my mind off that awful drill, I recited all of those verses over and over.  I could picture each one written in my little spiral notebook and I could have told you what color pen I wrote it in :)

One of my goals this year was to intentionally memorize more scripture, to hide it in my heart, because I so want to be a woman who drips God's word off my tongue.  I've stayed pretty diligent so far to the schedule, 2 verses a month, but I wasn't sure how well I knew them.  Well let me tell you, now I know!  I'm not sure I would have chosen a dentist's chair to test my memorization skills, but I'm happy to say that my anxiety was not in vain :) Thankfully, as the Lord is ALWAYS faithful to do, not only was I able to recall what I had memorized, but the verses I chose weeks and months ago, were exactly what I needed to fix my mind on. 

Verses like,
Psalm 62:5  "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; My hope comes from Him."

Hebrews 10:35-36  "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."

John 16:33  "I have told you these things so that in me you may peace.  In this world you will have trouble; but take heart!  I have overcome the world."

I am thankful for God's Word, not only because it got me through the dentist appointment, but because His words are life and a healing balm to my soul.  They remind me of Who He is, what He has done for me and the HOPE I have in Him.  Even when a there is a drill in my mouth :)

I hope to be done with the dentist for awhile.  When I came home yesterday, I told Travis I'm never eating or drinking again.  Perhaps that's a little drastic, but my mouth is still aching and I'm keeping the ibuprophen within reach.  And I've already broken my vow to not eat  :)

Hope your Monday was less eventful than mine!

2 comments:

Jason Barthelemy said...

Oh Steph, one of the side effects of having babies, can be weakening of teeth and gums...luckily they are worth it right?

Sarah said...

Dreading my next visit as well.

How's this for a dentist verse?

I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped with only the skin of my teeth. Job 19:20 (hehe)