Post #16 - Be Strong and Courageous....

July 15th, 2025 - my second surgery. I've been 'dreading' this day for months since it was scheduled. My first surgery (double mastectomy) was incredibly intense, and the recovery was long. The past two months, I've finally been feeling better, with less pain and more movement, and I didn't want to regress. I was finally feeling more mobile, and now I had to face a second surgery to remove the temporary expanders in my body and replace them with permanent breast implants. Dread and anxiety overwhelmed me, especially in the weeks and days leading up to today.

My daughter asked me if I wanted to go to church this past Sunday. I, of course, said yes because I love attending church, especially with her and our family. God arranged for me to be there on Sunday to hear the message He wanted me to receive before my surgery. Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go - Joshua 1:9 NIV

The message from Sunday's church service was meant for me to hear. God wanted me to hear His message repeatedly. "Be Strong and Courageous" is written seven times in the Bible, and it has been echoing in my mind since Sunday morning. These words resonated with me and helped calm me for my surgery today. I repeated these words in my mind over and over until the anesthesia set in; they were my last thoughts as I lay on the operating table in the cold hospital room this morning.

My second surgery is now behind me. I woke up today feeling instantly better about everything. The pain was less, I had no drains (Praise to God!), and my outlook was positive. I did it. This second surgery just closed this chapter, and I can move on to the next. All day, I've felt optimistic, grateful, and blessed. Thank you, God, for all these blessings and for allowing me to hear Your words loud and clear.

This Bible verse will stay with me forever. I'm inspired to create something with this verse, and I'm excited to start working on it.