Peace and the Dental Chair
Anyone out there with a little anxiety over going to the dentist? Surely I’m not the only one. To be honest, my anxiety is great over the thought of dental work.
At a recent dental visit, while combating the anxiety and having some work done, I felt God’s peace in a very real way.
Isn’t it cool how God shows up just when we need Him?
He does it all the time. I probably fail to see and sense it, so many times.
While sitting and waiting for the work to begin, I watched birds fly to feeders outside the window. I watched the rain pour down. I could hear thunder in the distance. The commotion around me seemed to still at the moment.
I was reminded of the words found in Matthew 6:25-35, New International Version.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
If God can provide for the birds in the middle of a storm outside, surely God can provide for my peace and strength for a (fairly simple) dental procedure. Scripture encourages us not to worry, yet if we are honest, we all probably worry more than we should.
Each day we get up, we have an opportunity to be a living example of Jesus wherever we go. We may encounter things every day that may not be entirely enjoyable, may produce pain (not just physical), and things that simply wear us out. How we choose to keep walking through those situations can be a living testimony of the ultimate source of Life that is waiting eagerly for us all.
While at the dentist, I had been listening to a playlist previously created. It was at the exact moment that the work was to begin, that one of my most favorite songs came on. Not a moment too soon. Not a moment too late.
Right on time. It’s how God works.
The song spoke about peace. Peace in the storms of life. Peace when we feel overwhelmed by anything we are facing. It was the reminder I needed, at that moment, to breathe in the peace that God was holding right in front of me. I had been praying the whole time for the worry to subside and for the appointment to be over. I’m fairly sure that God just wanted me to take a deep breath and relax in knowing that He has got it covered.
It may seem trivial that I was this worked up at the dentist, but we all have situations that are real and require us to overcome what we didn’t think we could. We must give ourselves grace and trust that God is bigger and greater than anything. Often when we least expect it, He can teach us a lesson that will stick with us for future occurrences.
Check out this song if you haven’t heard it - I think it will bless you just as it has me!
Hope Darst - Peace Be Still (Official Lyric Video) - YouTube
I don't wanna be afraid
Every time I face the waves
I don't wanna be afraid
I don't wanna be afraid
And I don't wanna fear the storm
Just because I hear it roar
I don't wanna fear the storm
I don't wanna fear the storm
Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
'Til I'm dancing in the deep
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can't see
I will trust the voice that speaks
