Know the Truth: 7-Day Devotional for NICU ParentsSample

Lie #6: The doctor has the final say.

The Truth: God is our ultimate physician.

Doctors are valuable. They spend a lot of time in school and work very hard to continue learning throughout their careers. Yet, God is still our chief physician. He has the final say. If you receive a report from the doctor that doesn’t line up with God’s Word, you don’t have to receive it. You can hear the diagnosis and use wisdom, but never claim the diagnosis as your own. Our words are powerful. We are speaking Spirits. God created the entire world by speaking it into existence: “Let there be light.” We are made in His image and likeness, therefore, what we speak carries authority.

During Prosper’s time in the NICU, my husband and I never said: “Prosper has an underdeveloped chest.” My husband and I were intentional in saying, “Doctors say Prosper has an underdeveloped chest.” There is a difference. We were aware of what the doctors said, but we remained focused on what God says.

We stood on the scripture: 3 John 1:2: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” This scripture inspired me to name our son Prosper. God’s Word says we should prosper and be in health, so that’s what we prayed and declared over our son. We didn’t just confess this with our words. We carried it out through our actions. We focused on what life would be like once we took him home. That’s the difference between wishful thinking and faith. Faith requires action. Jesus died on the cross for our sins to redeem us from the curse of death. Because of Him, we have salvation and many other blessings: health, peace, and prosperity. Continue to consult with God as your ultimate physician.

Reflection:

Whenever I would slip up and make the wrong confession, my husband would quickly correct it. Have you confessed anything negative over your child based on the doctor’s report? If so, correct it. Ask God to remove any words you have spoken that don’t line up with His Word. Ask Him to help you only speak life over your baby.

There are several scriptures at the end of this devotional which can help you with this.