A Second Opinion

Have you ever been given a diagnosis that you just couldn’t quite accept? Whether it is pertaining to health, job, school or your family, sometimes the decision handed down is not what you expected.

You heard the words that were coming out of the person’s mouth, you read the decision in black and white, but somehow you just could not accept it, try as you might. In the end, maybe you forced yourself to accept it, but to this day, you are not settled with the outcome.

When this happens to me, I pray and ask God for His opinion. I always hope that God will plainly tell me what the real outcome is going to be. However He doesn’t often deal with me that way. It seems that God loves to keep us coming back for more so He doesn’t always reveal His Hand. He usually gives me another option to research. I do my homework and step by step, His plan unfolds. The outcome is far better than the original diagnosis I received, and I am blown away.

Situations like these seem like faith-stretching exercises from the Master Teacher. It requires faith not to fall apart and give in at the first diagnosis; it requires faith to trust God that there is a better way for His children; it also requires faith to follow God’s leading and begin to step into something when you don’t have a clue of what the outcome will be.

Sometimes you have to make changes in your lifestyle and thought patterns in order to embrace the second opinion God has given you. However, being open to change often means being open to growth. Problems are rarely solved by doing the same thing you have been doing. When you look to God for the true diagnosis, know that He is going to require some action and possibly some major (but beneficial) changes on your part.

God is the Almighty Physician! He sees All and knows All so you can follow His direction and be assured that you are in good care.

Psalm 23 (New King James Version)

¹ The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell^[a] in the house of the LORD
Forever.