The Dentist: Worry and Prayer

Today I was feeling anxious, ashamed, and worried about upcoming dentist visits for my daughters. They both have cavities and are young, and not only do I dislike everything about going to the dentist and all the insurance nightmares, etc., it's my kids going through it. And there is also shame attached, me feeling like a horrible mother because my young kids have cavities. You will see me process all that below as well.

I opened up a note and started praying. The following is the step-by-step process I went through. When there is green text, those are verses that came to mind as I was processing my thoughts with God. I cannot say 100% that the verses that came to mind was God speaking directly to me, but knowing the verses in their context or reading them to be sure they aren't applied to a different situation helps. Although I would not tell someone "God told me this" as a sure statement, these verses were still helpful to me in the moment and contained wisdom. I do have peace now having gone through this process. And I will continue to pray about this as more worries surface.

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Jesus, what do you have to say about my issues with the dentist? I feel anxious.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-8

Ok, so my requests… help. Please help the dentist visit go smoothly. Both for (3y/o) on Friday and (5y/o) on Wednesday. Give me wisdom (the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom Job 28:28, trust in the Lord Proverbs 3:5) and knowledge on what to do and practice to prepare them.

I trust in You, Lord with all my heart. I will not lean on my own understanding or depend on my own perspective.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. - Psalm 23

Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. - Matthew 10:28

! The amazing thing about this verse??? I JUST told (5y/o) this morning that God knows how many hairs are on her head. I wasn’t even 100% sure that was from the bible, I just knew it was true. And directly after that verse above is Matthew 10:30:

“But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.”

Thank you for the wisdom you gave me last time when it came to the dentist. The preparation was exactly what we needed.

Please help me now also.

And even if some worst case scenarios happen -- one or both of them are terrified, have to be put under, we pay a large bill for the procedure, they are traumatized for life… You can even use all of that, God. And You will use all of that for the good of those who love you Romans 8:28.

And even if Miriam or Bella has to be put under anesthesia - and even if they DIE from rare complications, You have not failed us.

In your book were written every one of them - the days that were formed for me - when as yet there were none of them. - Psalm 139:16

Even the worst is not a surprise to You. And You are still good. Praise You, God, for being my good, good Father.

I ask you for Godly conviction in any sin I need to renounce or repent of (laziness, fear, not trusting You) but take away any shame that is NOT of You and is instead the enemy trying to accuse me. 

(found on Google by searching for “accuser verse”) “‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.’ And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony for they loved not their lives even unto death.” - Revelation 12:10-11

In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. - Romans 8:37

Thank you, Jesus for your peace that is higher than I can understand.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. - Psalm 139:6

And the previous verse:

You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.

Jesus, you didn’t have to encourage me so clearly, but You did. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for bringing all these verses to mind at the right time.

The Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. - John 14:26