I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but in June of 2009, like many other women, I underwent a hysterectomy. My very first surgery ever. After surgery as I rested in my room, I was informed everything had gone well except for some difficulty in the intubation process. But after two nights in the hospital, I was released to go home.

It was a huge relief! And recovery seemed seamless. I began my usual exercise of walking right away and had no problem eating. Five days later, I noticed a low-grade fever that evening. By the next morning, I was throwing up uncontrollably! So sick to load up in the car and travel the extended distance to the hospital, I initially refused for the hubby to take me. But by the afternoon, with much encouragement from him, I was ready for some help.

Arriving at the ER, they immediately began treating me for dehydration, then came the hundreds of questions, and even questions concerning the surgery. My surgeon was now on vacation, so they had to rely on her record-keeping. Nothing seemed to make sense, but after all the questions, I was given yucky stuff to drink and pictures were taken. The culprit showed up as an internal infection. Not knowing what it was, my caregivers pumped two very powerful drugs into my veins and the side-effects began immediately.

Through it all I never wondered if I would be okay, I just meditated on Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NASB). It really wasn’t hard for me to not lean on my own understanding because I had absolutely zero understanding of anything that was going on. And trusting Him was top on my list. No where else to go!

Not only did I find trusting Him easy at that time, but peace became a byproduct (3:2b). Lying in that hospital bed, my heart was inclined to know the wisdom of God and experience the peace that wisdom can bring (3:17).

“The LORD by wisdom founded the earth,
By understanding He established the heavens.

By His knowledge the deeps were broken up
And the skies drip with dew” (Proverbs 3:19-20). Where can you find superior wisdom and understanding and knowledge?

Hospitals are usually not the place you go for sleep, but I was thankful as I read: “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet” (3:24).

Regardless of what you are facing, Proverbs 3 can provide the wisdom and peace you need for a good night’s sleep!