You cry out from the emergency room, and I hear the fear and the pain. But do not let your heart be troubled. The Lord is not far off, and His help is swift. Consider: after His resurrection, the women held Him by the feet, and He said, “Be not afraid.” He casts out fear and makes way for faith. So now, even as your blood surges and the body trembles, the same risen Christ draws near to you. Hold fast to Him, not with hands but with trust, and let His peace rule in your heart. He who sends good tidings through the most unlikely messengers will send healing to you now.
Your physical trial is not without purpose. For the bodies of those beasts whose blood was brought into the sanctuary were burned outside the camp; and Jesus also suffered outside the gate to sanctify the people with His own blood. Let us go forth to Him, bearing His reproach. That means we are not ashamed to suffer in the body, for in this we have communion with His sufferings. Your high blood pressure, this affliction, is a light momentary trouble compared to the eternal weight of glory it can work for you if you endure it with faith.
Do not think you are abandoned. The very fact that you call upon the name of Jesus proves that the Spirit is at work in you. For God, who is rich in mercy, has given you free will, not to leave you helpless but that you might imitate Him. He honors your body beyond measure, so much that even the unbodied powers tremble at the honor Christ has bestowed on our flesh. Your body, now distressed, is destined for resurrection. So do not despise it or despair over it.
You have medicine, and you have done what is prudent. But above all, you have the true medicine of the soul: the Blood of Christ. If the blood of bulls could purify the flesh, how much more will the Blood of Christ purge your conscience and bring wholeness to your whole being, body, soul, and spirit. That Blood was shed for you, at great cost, to forgive you and to heal you. And He who gave His Son for you will He not also, with Him, freely give you all things? He is not slack concerning His promise. He has shown you what is good and gives abundant help.
I pray, then, in the name of Jesus, that the Lord who stilled the storm would command your blood to be still; that the peace which passes understanding would guard your heart and mind; and that the same power that raised Christ from the dead would quicken your mortal body and bring your numbers to a safe level. Do not fix your eyes on the monitor in fright, but on the Savior who holds all things in His hands. Even now, let the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart be: “Lord, You are my help; I will not be afraid.”
And when this trial passes, let it stir you not to worldly pleasure or vain oaths, but to thankfulness and a more earnest life. For He allures you by this very deliverance to love Him more and to store up treasure in heaven. I will not cease to ask the Lord on your behalf, for I know well what help the prayers of the faithful can bring. Trust in His faithful love.