I recently had a long-awaited surgery but then developed an infection. I was discouraged, as I had already been through numerous medical procedures for over a year just to get to the surgery, and now I faced this setback.
I got home after my doctor’s visit and collapsed into a chair with a big sigh, ready for a talk with the Lord. I was feeling sorry for myself, so I looked up a biblical definition for “pity,” which described it as “a destructive, self-absorbed attitude that distracts from faith, gratitude, and trust in God’s sovereignty.” What an alarming definition. I knew I needed to get back in alignment with the Lord quickly.
He gently reminded me that I was fortunate to be able to have the surgery and that it would be just a little longer—that I needed to press forward and continue to walk by faith.
At the time, I was having a snack of Dove dark chocolates and reading the inside wrapper as I opened each one, looking for the words of encouragement. I opened two in a row that said, “You can do hard things!” Then I opened a third with the same message. I have eaten many of these chocolates, and this is not normal—rarely do I get two in a row with the same message. Then I opened chocolates four, five, and six… all with the same message. I would have opened more, but that was all I had in my snack bowl at the time. Yes, I ate a lot of chocolate that night!
I then realized that these words were the Lord’s words for me.
Do you have hard things you are navigating right now? The Lord reminded me to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9) and to forget what is behind and press forward (Philippians 3:13). He wants us to lean into Him, pray, and trust Him to provide and help us. He sings songs of deliverance over us (Psalm 32:7).
Several weeks later, I learned that a second surgery was needed, and I realized the Lord had truly been preparing me for this news. He had reminded me that I could do hard things because He was with me. Psalm 147:3 tells us that He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
I was so thankful that the Lord had prepared me for hard news and had given me peace about what was to come. What do you need peace over today? Talk to the Lord and give Him your burdens. He wants to carry them for you (Matthew 11:28–30).
In case you are wondering, I have eaten many more chocolates from that Dove bag and have only had one with the “You can do hard things” message 😊. I don’t know that the Lord will choose to speak to you through chocolates, but it never hurts to have some on hand!
