Less than a week later Norm went to the hospital with chest pain; scar tissue blocked the stent he’d received after his heart attack. Two more ER trips followed, both involving chest pain, meaning overnight stays and expensive tests. A large bill arrived as a sobering reminder that we may never see an end to heart-related expenses. While I thanked God for payment plans, I couldn’t help feeling let down and discouraged.

Soon afterward a friend updated me on her serious health issues. As she described her experimental treatments and battles between her doctors and the insurance company, I waited for her to mention the mounting financial burden. Surely hers far surpassed ours. She not only had a chronic illness, but she also suffered ongoing complications that stemmed from it. This didn’t even count the times when her husband needed surgery and her kids got sick. Yet money woes never came up. She clearly had faith that, if God allowed her to struggle with health problems, He would provide.

I want to be like her, I prayed. Help me to trust You with our medical bills even if we never see a zero balance again.

Even Jesus lived without financial security so He could speak from experience when He said, “Don’t worry about tomorrow.” God always provided for men and women in Scripture, whether they were ill, widowed, or serving Him full-time. His constant provision continues to teach me to trust His ability to cover the cost of any illness, emergency, or ongoing health crisis.