A few years ago, my husband was in the hospital, not expected to live. The next day a doctor said he was much better but not out of the woods yet. He meant my husband still had to fight for his life.

Out of the woods means safe and secure.

A person no longer faces immediate danger.

• The worst trouble has passed.
• Known and unknown threats are over.
• The greatest danger is gone.
• Circumstances are no longer critical,

Like exiting a dangerous forest, a person out of the woods feels relief.

The escape frees the person to:

• Relax
• Enjoy better circumstances
• Give thanks for improvement

In addition to health issues, out of the woods applies to:

• Finances
• Relationships
• Work

Whether in the woods or out, everyone chooses how to react.

Life gets hard. People get hurt. When that happens, they decide whether to:

• Complain
• Become a worry wart
• Quit
• Or bloom where they’re planted

Why not make the best of a bad situation? This life will soon pass. Let go and let God make the most of it.

My husband did make it out of the woods and left the hospital a few days later.

“Even the trees of the woods—the fir trees and cedars of Lebanon—sing out this joyous song: ‘Your power is broken; no one will bother us now; at last we have peace’” (Isaiah 14:8 TLB).

Thanks to Ann Knowles for the suggestion.

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