A Confident Heart

A Confident Heart

My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Psalm 57:7

I love today’s verse because it reminds me of one of my patients. Keith is a singer/songwriter with a history of heartbreak in his family—literally. He told me about it recently when he came in for an appointment.

“How are you doing?” I asked.

“Not so well. I’m worried that I might have what my dad and uncle had.”

At first, I thought he was talking about being exposed to the flu or another airborne illness, but then he explained it was something much more serious.

“My dad and my uncle were both fifty-two years old when they had massive heart attacks and died. I’m fifty-three, and I’m finding it hard to walk up a flight of stairs without getting short of breath. I don’t have much confidence that I am going to last a lot longer. I’m afraid I may have a broken ticker too.”

I arranged for Keith to see a cardiologist the next morning. They put him on the heart catheterization table and quickly determined that his genetic makeup had caught up with him. Keith had a 99 percent blockage in one artery and significant blockages in three others—a common convergence of symptoms often referred to as a widowmaker.

The cardiovascular surgeon agreed that immediate bypass surgery was indicated, and the procedure was set up for the next day. I was thankful that Keith had come to see me when he did.

The surgery and postoperative recovery went well. Keith regained confidence in his heart and now had a new sense of hope about the future.

TODAY’S RX

Put your confidence in God. He can fix all kinds of broken hearts. And be certain to see your physician if you have a family history of heart problems.

Father, replace my worried heart with a heart of confidence. Help me to trust in you always, knowing you have the best in store for me.