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Be Not Afraid Beyond Medicineopposite to be true, as with Hardy, an uncle whose lastyears remind me of an old truth: only when man givesup and lays aside his arms can God step in and take upthe fight.My father’s eldest brother, Hardy suffered from heartdisease and diabetes for many years. In September 1984he underwent cardiac bypass surgery; in November ofthe same year his heart failed. Hospitalized, he asked tobe released and cared for at home. In early Decemberhis blood pressure was dangerously low. At times hewas restless or distressed; at other times very peaceful.During moments like these, one felt the closeness ofeternity in his room. Once he said, quite simply, “Youknow, I am dying.”Hardy needed intravenous medications to maintainhis blood pressure, and oxygen to relieve his breathingdifficulties and chest pain. One day, however, hesurprised everyone by trying to pull out the IV. He wasready to die, he said, though just as ready to live. Hewas ready for whatever God had in mind for him. Wecalled his doctor and discussed the situation at length,then hesitantly agreed to have the IV discontinued. Webelieved that without the medication, Hardy wouldnot live much longer, and he knew this. It would bea step of faith, but we were ready for anything. Mostimportant, Hardy was.