I’m not thrilled about this new online ‘My Chart’ medical stuff. You know it? Where you can eyeball results before you check them out with your real-life, in-person doctor. They claim it’s all about full disclosure and immediate access. All of which are of no help to me, a novice with an untrained eye, who can barely pronounce those medical mysteries let alone know what they mean.

A few years back, I had blood work done. Hoping to put off checking out its results until I have a Zoom appointment with the sawbones, the nagging unknown gets the best of me. Something like the bit about fools rushing in? You think? Probably. So, I yield to temptation and see that the results are good. Pleased as punch, I tell my wife and prayer partners the good news. Of course, thanking the Lord for His answered prayers.

You know what’s coming next, don’t you? Zoom time with who I thought was Dr. Feelgood reveals that he’s more like Dr. Kavorkian as the numbers aren’t neutral but heading somewhat in the wrong direction. Yuck! He tells me not to lose any sleep. Yeah, right! Easy for him to say, he’s probably off on some mega-bucks vacation with the financial results of my computer call.

I panic. Tell my wife that I’m checking out of this life. Contact the funeral home. Don’t buy green bananas. Blood pressure reaches a new record high. The Lord? Have I forgotten Him? Maybe. Seems like it.

So, I call a Christian friend to get things off my chest, mostly exhibiting my lack of faith. What a man of unbelief I can easily become. Without any effort at all. Not even lifting a finger.

This friend reminds me that Jesus loves it when we bring our weakness to Him. Our feebleness and fragility allow His strength to comfort and help us. To be the friend that He is and always will be. Maybe we can buy those green bananas after all?

Listen to the Apostle Paul–‘Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. for when I am weak, then I am strong’ (2 Cor. 12: 9-10). I keep reading those verses as it takes a while to soak into my hard-shell craw while trying to crowd out my nail-biting fidgets.

Here’s my take from 2 Corinthians 12–Fischer, stop worrying so much. Bring everything to Jesus. Sooner rather than my usual later. Place them at His feet and walk away. Cease grabbing them back. Jesus has a no-backsies policy. No return to sender allowed. Leave it with Him.

I am weak but He is strong. Jesus loves me, this I know. The old song gets it spot on. Maybe it’s time I listened and started believing? You think? That’s a novel idea. Here’s another one–check out ‘His Chart’ instead of ‘My Chart’. Crack open your Bible more often than not. His good news is just that.

Have all my fears miraculously vanished? I wish. You’d believe me if I said they had? You’re too smart for that. However, I’m inching my way toward the one who can handle those headaches and heartaches all the while He’s holding my trembling hands. He doesn’t criticize me or you for being weak and scared. Hardly. He draws even closer, especially then.

Trust Jesus. That’s it?

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being so close to me with all your loving understanding. Amen.