Eyes to See and Ears to Hear: I am Equipped

“Ears to hear and eyes to see; both are a gift from the Lord”

Proverbs 20:12

In life’s journey one could get caught up with the many challenges that erupt, such as the unmet expectations, plans that go awry, illness, loss, and unforeseen changes; these are just a few we are faced with!

Well, we are equipped, aren’t we?

Equipped is defined as “to furnish or provide with whatever is needed for use or for any undertaking; supplied with the necessary items for a particular purpose; prepared mentally for a particular situation or task.”

The words that stand out to me are PROVIDE, SUPPLIED, and PREPARED!

WHO Provides, Supplies and Prepares us?

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“May He equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Hebrews 13:21

One of the tools that I use to get through the curve balls in life is to look (see) and listen (hear) all the Lord has for me in the midst of whatever storm comes my way! Psalm 121 “I lift my eyes toward the Heavens or the hills. Where does my help come from?”

My eyes and ears are constantly focused on the things above. His WORD is true! Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”

Equipped for Victory

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While I have had more recent obstacles, I want to share the most recent challenge in which God gave me victory! I just came upon the one year anniversary of a vocal surgery I had in which a benign cyst was removed. Two years prior I had developed a severe sinus infection which left me speaking in a voice that sounded raspy, as if I had a constant cold and sore throat. I would give the precursor disclaimer, “I am not sick, I have a cyst on my vocal cords.” It was annoying! My worst complication was the fact that I could not sing out to the Lord. I would lose breath and couldn’t make some notes that I was used to. Now let me say this⸺it’s not as if I have a dynamic or “golden” voice, but not being able to lift my voice with the passion felt deep within, affected me emotionally and spiritually!

It was a two year process, after I was initially told that the surgery to remove it was “like swallowing swords” by the laryngologist. Yeah, sign me up for that…NOT! That response (mind you, no bedside manner!) left me in fear and anxiety. I asked what the next step would be instead of surgery (since it wasn’t cancerous). A vocal therapist was recommended. She taught me to speak intentionally (by the way, whispering is bad for your vocal cords). I learned to breathe after shorter groups of sentences. More importantly, I was myself and shared who I was to this therapist. During this time, I actually ministered to her and used my VOICE for deep conversations. She would have me do homework and read my prayers out loud to her! I shared worship and praise songs with her. What an AMAZING opportunity to be me; a living, breathing, speaking epistle of Christ!

“I will lift my VOICE to sing your praise, O my Strength—for you came to my defense O God. You have shown me your loving mercy.”

Psalm 59:17

After just about 2 years of taking me as far as I could go in vocal therapy, I had to consider another opinion on surgery. I contacted a laryngologist from Brigham & Women’s Hospital and after speaking to him, receiving severe prayer and being EQUIPPED in my Provider, Supplier and the ONE who prepares the way, I scheduled the surgery date. It was in June so I didn’t have to worry about speaking, as I was told it would be many weeks of silence for my vocal cords to heal. I was ready! I had overcome ( in prayer and in the Word) the numerous panic attacks that tried to overtake me and went into the surgery with such peace and trust! Imagine my surprise when I awoke with a sore throat believing I had the surgery but finding that 30 medical professionals were in the operating room to consult about the next steps when my vitals were going too low (after just 10 minutes in)! The inside of my mouth had been cut with the instruments used (normal ramification apparently) as my airway was smaller than they thought and it was a difficult intubation. One after another came in to explain and console me and reiterate what had happened, but after all had left, the very last nurse stayed with me until I was transported to recovery. She held my hand and said, “I know you are disappointed, but I have been doing this a long time and the 30 medical professionals in here made the right decision.” With wide and watery eyes she said, “An ANGEL was with you!” Well, I sobered up quickly and started thanking the Lord for His Protection!

Prepared for Victory

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What happened next? I had the surgery a month later. Yes, after all of the anxiety and having THAT happen to me, I chose to go through with it!

Why? I had ears to hear that the Lord was with me! He goes before me! He goes before you! He PROVIDED Protection. He SUPPLIED me with the Faith and Courage and Trust in Him that I could not receive from anyone else! He PREPARED me in the two year process in ministering and sharing about HIM using what little raspy voice I had!

I was EQUIPPED and have been long before THIS happened! Jesus has established me and He establishes you!

"The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him.”

Psalm 37:23

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE LORD AND HEAR HIS VOICE! He cares about every detail of your life!

“When I look at your Heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.”

Psalm 8:3-5

He will never let you down!

Author: Gina Murray a member of Legacy Church

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