Part 2 – Finding Peace in the Middle of Fear
Introduction
There are moments in life that completely change you, and for me, that moment came with my idiopathic subglottic stenosis diagnosis on April 29, 2024. What started as worsening breathing issues quickly turned into a terrifying medical emergency that forced me to confront just how fragile life can be. But in the middle of the fear, uncertainty, and chaos, I experienced something I can only describe as the peace of God.
When Everything Escalated
By the beginning of 2024, my symptoms had become impossible to ignore.
My breathing wasn’t just difficult—it was loud.
So loud that people noticed.
Even my boss jokingly called me “Darth Vader.”
I laughed along… but deep down, I knew something was very wrong.
The Moment I Couldn’t Breathe
On April 29, everything came to a head.
I suddenly couldn’t catch my breath.
Not just shortness of breath—this was different.
I felt like I might pass out.
My body turned cold and tingly.
I drove myself to urgent care just a minute away, not knowing what else to do.
By the time I walked in:
- I had hives across my chest
- My breathing was loud and strained
- I could barely speak
The moment they saw me, they rushed me back.
When Nothing Was Working
They put me on oxygen.
They gave me multiple breathing treatments.
But nothing was helping.
I was then transferred to Lynchburg General Hospital.
And in that moment… everything felt uncertain.
The Peace That Didn’t Make Sense
But something happened in that ER that I will never forget.
In the middle of the fear… I felt peace.
Not a small comfort—but an overwhelming, undeniable peace.
I knew—deep in my spirit—that God had me.
That I was going to be okay.
That they were finally going to figure it out.
That help was here.
Before I had answers…
Before I had a diagnosis…
God met me there first.
Scripture Reflection
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” — Isaiah 26:3
That peace didn’t come from my circumstances.
It came from God.
The Diagnosis
At the hospital, an ENT specialist performed a scope and found a severe narrowing in my airway.
I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis—a rare condition that was restricting my ability to breathe.
It was serious.
Serious enough that they immediately tried to transfer me to University of Virginia Medical Center.
But there were no beds available.
A Life-Saving Decision
With no other option, the doctor had to perform an emergency tracheotomy to keep me alive.
In a matter of hours, everything changed.
But even in that moment… I wasn’t alone.
Faith in the Unknown
I didn’t know how long recoI had no idea what life was going to look like moving forward, how long recovery would take, or what this diagnosis truly meant for my future.
But I knew this:
God had carried me this far—and He wasn’t going to stop now.
Scripture Reflection
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” — Isaiah 43:2
God didn’t promise I wouldn’t go through it.
But He promised I wouldn’t go through it alone.
Devotional Thought
Sometimes the most powerful moments of faith aren’t when everything is okay…
They’re when everything isn’t—and you still feel peace.
That kind of peace can only come from God.
Prayer
Lord,
Thank You for being my peace in moments of fear.
When life feels uncertain, remind me that You are steady.
When I feel overwhelmed, anchor me in Your presence.
Amen.
