By: Shara Garcia

How do we trust God in an unexpected medical diagnosis?
Pharaoh’s heart had been hardened against God, His people, and His chosen messenger, Moses. Even after nine dreadful plagues, Pharaoh refused to release the Israelites from slavery. The Israelites, witnessing God’s mighty hand against Pharaoh, waited and waited for their rescue. But God’s rescue plan wasn’t fully complete with the tenth plague—it was just beginning.
How can we move forward in faith when we are waiting in the middle of a complicated medical diagnosis? It’s a question that resonates deeply when life feels uncertain and hope seems distant.
In Exodus 12, God instituted the Passover—a new tradition, a holiday that has been celebrated for thousands of years. This purposeful meal commemorated a defining moment in Israel’s history: the tenth plague, when the angel of death passed over homes covered by the blood of a lamb, sparing the firstborn son in those houses. Pharaoh’s son, however, was not spared. That final devastating plague moved Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery, into freedom.

In Exodus 12:24-27, God commanded His people to remember this event through the Passover meal: “Remember, these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever. When you enter the land the Lord has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony. Then your children will ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?’ And you will reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.’” When Moses finished speaking, the people bowed down and worshiped.
Why did God command them to remember? Because remembering what God has done helps us move forward. Move forward in faith, trust, hope, courage, and anticipation, even when the way ahead seems impossible.
God commanded them to remember through a meal.
Meals hold memory. Our brain’s limbic system is designed so that certain smells and tastes can trigger powerful memories. God used this design, commanding His people to celebrate the Passover meal to remember His faithfulness and power for 1000s of years to come.
When the Israelites later stood at the edge of the Red Sea, trapped between the waters and Pharaoh’s pursuing army, they needed that reminder: God makes a way when there seems to be no way. He creates a path to freedom, forgiveness, and a future.
If you’re navigating a high-risk pregnancy, infertility, postpartum depression, a child’s illness or hospitalization, or even the unimaginable loss of a child, living in faith and trust can feel impossible. The noise of medical information and hospital monitors can drown out the truths of who God is. But like the Israelites, perhaps you need a reminder of what God has done in the past—to reassure you that He is with you now in the present and walking with you into the future.
God’s faithfulness hasn’t changed. He sees your struggle, hears your prayers, and is present in your pain. By remembering what God has done in your child’s life and your family’s journey so far, you can be reminded of His goodness and faithfulness.
I know there may be times when it feels like too much to remember God’s work in your child’s life—especially when it seems like He isn’t working. In those moments, we can fix our eyes on the blood of The Lamb. Just as the Israelites remembered the blood on their door frames that brought deliverance, we can look to the blood of Jesus on the cross that made us children of God. As His children, we have the promise of freedom from sin, forgiveness, and a future with Him—giving us the strength to take the next step, even if it’s just for the next minute.
God, when I receive news I never wanted, it’s easy to forget Your voice. Yet Your presence remains, just as it has in the past. I thank You for the blood of the Lamb, giving me freedom, forgiveness, and the promise of eternity with You. In moments when I struggle to see Your hand at work, help me remember Your past faithfulness and trust You are with me now. Give me the strength to trust You in the waiting, just as the Israelites did. Teach me to remember and celebrate Your goodness, faithfulness, and deliverance. By remembering, help me to trust you and move forward in faith.

Dig Deeper
Reflection Questions:
How can remembering God's faithfulness in the past help you trust Him in the midst of uncertainty?
What is one way you’ve seen God’s faithfulness during your child’s medical journey?
Put Your Faith Into Action:
It’s easy to get fixated on what’s right in front of us and forget that God is with us in every moment. The Israelites were overwhelmed by the Red Sea, forgetting how God had already spared them through the blood of the Lamb. God commanded them to remember and celebrate because we all tend to forget.
This Week’s Challenge:
Before moving forward in your journey with medical diagnoses and uncertainties, take time to look back and remember. When we pause to celebrate God’s faithfulness in the midst of hardship, we model trust and perseverance, especially for our children. This is exactly why God instructed the Israelites in Exodus 13:8-9 to share with their children, “On that day tell your children, ‘I am celebrating what the Lord did for me when I left Egypt.’ This festival will be a visible reminder to you and your children of the Lord’s mighty rescue.”
Your act of remembering can be a visible sign of faith for your child, no matter their age, encouraging them to trust God as you do. Find a meaningful, outward way to celebrate God’s faithfulness together, whether by yourself or with your child.
Some Ways to Remember and Celebrate:
Make a gratitude list of God’s blessings in your child’s journey so far.
Throw a “Yay God” party with cake to celebrate God’s presence and provision.
Write a thank-you letter to God, acknowledging His faithfulness.
Reflect on the question: When did God show up for you in unexpected ways?
Take communion as a family to remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Further Reading:
Psalm 105: Reflect on God's faithfulness through the Exodus (Exodus 11-15).
Joshua 4:1-8: The Israelites build a memorial to remember God's work.
Verses to Meditate On:
Psalm 77:11-12
"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds."

Shara is a SoCal mother to three littles, pastor’s wife, youth pastor, and heart warrior mama. She understands the importance of biblical encouragement; especially when her third child was born with a complex CHD requiring open heart surgery. She volunteers in obedience to God's call to comfort others "with the comfort we ourselves received from God."
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