I got crowned....
Well, yesterday I finally received my crowns.
Not the ones you are probably thinking.
The crowns that go in the mouth. You know, the dental kind of crowns. [insert an eye roll]
I have put these off for the better part of a year. Maybe more, but who's counting?
Dread is an understatement.
I abhor dental work of any kind. I get anxious. I get fearful. I just don't like people's hands in my mouth. Ever.
As I drove to the appointment, I asked my daughter to pray.
I felt some peace as she prayed a sweet prayer.
But, soon after, my stomach was in knots again.
When I arrived, they took me back. They plopped me in that big leather chair, and my hands were shaking. Really, I mean shaking.
I was thinking of every excuse possible to escape. I could tell them I was sick and needed to go. I could tell them there was an emergency and I needed to flee. I could tell them this was all a big mistake and I was fine without having crowns in my mouth!
Suddenly, I heard in my spirit the words, "Be thankful, Jill."
Huh? Who said that?
Thankful for what??
Seriously??
I immediately began praying. Not out loud. Because you know, they already think I am looney.
I thanked the Lord that I was able to have dental work done. I thanked the Lord that I could afford to pay for the "crowns" in my mouth. I thanked the Lord for my dentist and all who had studied the mouth and teeth and knew what the heck they were doing.
I prayed for our missionary friends, The Dubose's. Josh Dubose and his family are in Peru doing missionary work, and helping with the dental needs in that area. I thought about the many needs they must come across every single day.
I thanked God for how blessed I was to be able to have medicine to numb my mouth when many others do not have this privilege.
Eventually, my heart stopped racing. My hands stopped shaking, and I began to feel a huge rush of peace.
Half way into our little crowning session my dentist said, "Jill, you are so much less anxious than usual. I know you don't like dental work, but you are extra calm today."
I gave him a crooked, numb-mouthed smile, and said, "Prayer is powerful."
Replacing my fear and anxiety with gratitude changed everything. Instead of just praying for the fear to go away, I replaced the prayer with thankfulness and praying for others.
Maybe this is why Paul tells us:
Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Are you dreading something today?
Pray and give thanks.
Peace will come swiftly. Just ask my dentist.
newly crowned,
jill
Not the ones you are probably thinking.
The crowns that go in the mouth. You know, the dental kind of crowns. [insert an eye roll]
I have put these off for the better part of a year. Maybe more, but who's counting?
Dread is an understatement.
I abhor dental work of any kind. I get anxious. I get fearful. I just don't like people's hands in my mouth. Ever.
As I drove to the appointment, I asked my daughter to pray.
I felt some peace as she prayed a sweet prayer.
But, soon after, my stomach was in knots again.
When I arrived, they took me back. They plopped me in that big leather chair, and my hands were shaking. Really, I mean shaking.
I was thinking of every excuse possible to escape. I could tell them I was sick and needed to go. I could tell them there was an emergency and I needed to flee. I could tell them this was all a big mistake and I was fine without having crowns in my mouth!
Suddenly, I heard in my spirit the words, "Be thankful, Jill."
Huh? Who said that?
Thankful for what??
Seriously??
I immediately began praying. Not out loud. Because you know, they already think I am looney.
I thanked the Lord that I was able to have dental work done. I thanked the Lord that I could afford to pay for the "crowns" in my mouth. I thanked the Lord for my dentist and all who had studied the mouth and teeth and knew what the heck they were doing.
I prayed for our missionary friends, The Dubose's. Josh Dubose and his family are in Peru doing missionary work, and helping with the dental needs in that area. I thought about the many needs they must come across every single day.
I thanked God for how blessed I was to be able to have medicine to numb my mouth when many others do not have this privilege.
Eventually, my heart stopped racing. My hands stopped shaking, and I began to feel a huge rush of peace.
Half way into our little crowning session my dentist said, "Jill, you are so much less anxious than usual. I know you don't like dental work, but you are extra calm today."
I gave him a crooked, numb-mouthed smile, and said, "Prayer is powerful."
Replacing my fear and anxiety with gratitude changed everything. Instead of just praying for the fear to go away, I replaced the prayer with thankfulness and praying for others.
Maybe this is why Paul tells us:
Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Are you dreading something today?
Pray and give thanks.
Peace will come swiftly. Just ask my dentist.
newly crowned,
jill
