“You’re going to be OK!”
The older I get the more I realize how important and comforting that
sentence can be…especially if it comes from one with knowledge and authority. In 2001 I had two major surgeries for a rare
and life threatening illness with unusual complications that caused my surgeon
to recommend a specialist in another state with a reputation as one of the best
in the world. Obviously it paid off
because I am still here some 15 years later.
Each year I make the journey back to the huge medical complex in another
state for tests to make sure all is still well with my health. It always means a lot to hear from those with
knowledge and authority that I am going to be OK.
Several years ago I realized the age to consider retirement
was rapidly approaching. Math was never
my strong suit but I each birthday with a zero at the end got my attention. So I began research to see how feasible and
at what age retirement would be for me.
I am an overly obsessive thinker.
I have always walked the tightrope between obsessive thoughts and OCD
behavior (the D means disorder which can have a negative or crippling effect on
the way one lives). The OCD personality
obsesses over making the ‘right’ decision.
“Did I make the right
decision? Should I go back and change my
mind?” etc. Well, I didn’t struggle
with every decision, when it comes to deciding if I want pizza the choice is
easy buy the more weight a decision carries the harder my obsessive compulsive
tendencies kick in. I almost drove
myself crazy buying my first house. Over the years I learned the secret to
keep the obsessive compulsive thoughts from becoming full blown OCD is to focus
on learning to live with the ‘best’
decision rather than obsessing on making the ‘right’ decision. The
decision on major surgeries was easy… let’s
see, two major surgeries in six months or death…Duh!
However, when it came to retirement, which is often the
final major decision in life (one article called it the ‘final adjustment’, I guess that means someone else can decide on
the casket), I found myself wrestling with those obsessive compulsive thought
patterns again. I sought the opinion of
‘experts’. I read and studied the writings
and opinions of famous professional financial advisors. I used every retirement calculator I could
find. However, I still needed to be
affirmed. So I did an internet search on
the top 10 financial advisers in my state.
Then I narrowed the search to those in a reasonable driving
distance. Finally, I sought those from
financial institutions with a long solid history. After all the research I was led to the
person who best met my qualifications.
She used her vast expertise and tools available to analyze my portfolio
and prospects. She gave me charts,
graphs & projections and advice. It
was worth all the time spent in research and the work when she looked me in the
eye and said simply, “You’re going to be OK!”
It is hard to express what it means when a doctor, with a
world respected reputation, looks you in the eye and speaking of your health says,
“You’re
going to be OK!” Then to have
one of the best financial advisors who works for one of the most respected
financial institutions in the country speak to you of your retirement prospects
smile and say, “You’re going to be OK!”
When one with authority and wisdom utters that brief sentence even an
obsessive compulsive thinker can find peace that allows a good night’s
sleep. However, there is a matter more
important than health or financial security.
When this life is over and eternity waits wouldn’t it be
great to have someone with knowledge and authority say, “You’re going to be OK!” Well, there’s good news for you. His name is Jesus and he gave us that
ultimate affirmation in John 14:1-4.
Jesus knew his time on earth was drawing to a close and his disciples
needed affirmation that would carry them through the difficult days ahead. He told them (and all future disciples); “Do
not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My
Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that
I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where
I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
In the concise and profound way that only Jesus could do (remember John 1:14, He is the Word in flesh) we are told we don’t have to worry that there is plenty room in Heaven and He, who learned carpentry as a boy with His earthly father, will prepare a place just for us. So we don’t have to fret when this life is over because He, who has already experience death and knows what it is like, will come to escort us to our eternal home to be with Him forever. Now remember this affirmation is coming from one who has ultimate authority (see Matthew 28:18). He knows what he is talking about and can back it up with His authority, wisdom and experience. So we can rest assured, if we place our faith in Jesus, no matter what happens with our finances, our health or how upsetting the situation in the world may be…“You’re going to be OK!”
In the concise and profound way that only Jesus could do (remember John 1:14, He is the Word in flesh) we are told we don’t have to worry that there is plenty room in Heaven and He, who learned carpentry as a boy with His earthly father, will prepare a place just for us. So we don’t have to fret when this life is over because He, who has already experience death and knows what it is like, will come to escort us to our eternal home to be with Him forever. Now remember this affirmation is coming from one who has ultimate authority (see Matthew 28:18). He knows what he is talking about and can back it up with His authority, wisdom and experience. So we can rest assured, if we place our faith in Jesus, no matter what happens with our finances, our health or how upsetting the situation in the world may be…“You’re going to be OK!”
