I've watched it happen a thousand times. A patient walks into pre-op terrified. Then they start humming a worship song, reciting a scripture, or someone prays with them—and their heart rate comes down, their blood pressure improves, and they go into surgery in a completely different state of mind.
I didn't expect it the first time I saw it. Now I look for it.
Worship isn't just what you feel. It's where you put your attention. Fear narrows your brain's filter onto the threat in the room until it's all you can see. Worship takes that same intensity and aims it at something truer and bigger than what you're afraid of—and it brings memory with it. Words you already know. Promises you've sung before. You're not inventing courage out of thin air. You're rehearsing a different center of gravity.
You can't stare at the monitor and the Maker with the same intensity at the same time. One of them is going to get your energy. Worship is a decision about which one it's going to be.
"I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will continually be on my mouth." (Psalm 34:1) Not when you feel like it. At all times—including the holding area.
Worshiping in your hardest moments isn't denial. It's self-brain surgery. When the fear spikes, don't wait for the feeling to change first. Put truth in your mouth—a verse, a song, a prayer, and say it until your attention has a better place to stand.
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*FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. NOT MEDICAL ADVICE.