The Truth About Our Trials

“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good.” Romans 8:28

Shortly after my cancer diagnosis, well-intentioned friends began sending me a slew of books to read. Some of them were about cancer-fighting nutrition, some were devotional, and others were testimonials from cancer survivors. My husband usually threw the testimonials away, especially if they advocated unusual alternative treatments, as God had already reassured us by a series of circumstances that I was on the right treatment path for me. Sometimes, though, I needed to hear a message of hope from someone who had persevered through a similar trial, and so I kept a couple of books by Christian authors. I’ll never forget reading one morning about a man suffering from lymphoma who decided that the Bible verse Romans 8:28 was horrible to share with someone in pain. He believed that it was insensitive to tell a person writhing in pain that God would use this incredible hurt for his good. At the time I was recovering from eight painful compression fractures in my spine, so I could see his point. Perhaps it isn’t the most comforting scripture that someone visiting the sick or hurting could use, but for the Christian who has faith in a sovereign God, it is an undeniable truth. As Charles Spurgeon writes, “Upon some points a believer is absolutely sure. He knows, for instance, that God sits in the center of the vessel when it rocks most…He knows too that God is always wise, and knowing this, he is confident that there can be no accidents, no mistakes and that nothing can occur that ought not to happen…The worse disaster is the wisest and the kindest thing that I could face if God ordains it.” Spurgeon goes on to use examples that really speak to my heart: “So far everything has worked for good; the poisonous drugs mixed in the proper proportions have effected the cure; the sharp cuts of the scalpel have cleaned out the disease and facilitated the healing. Every event as yet has worked out the most divinely blessed results; and so, believing that God rules all, that He governs wisely, that He brings good out of evil, the believer’s heart is assured, and he is learning to meet each trial calmly when it comes.”* Of course, my faith is not nearly as great as Spurgeon’s, and I wonder, will I still meet the trial calmly when the “poisonous drugs” do not take away the disease? I pray that I will be like my friend with leukemia, who only proclaimed the goodness of God and how He had used her disease to bring her family closer to Him. Instead of anger or disappointment as she faced death, she was wrapped in peace and calm, trusting God to take care of her children the same way He had always cared for her. Watching her die showed me how to live abundantly in the midst of adversity.

Lord, help me to replace all my fears with unwavering trust in You. Help me to remember that every breath is a gift from You, and that You hold my life in the palm of Your hand. Have mercy on my prayers, and bless those who suffer from pain, from mental anguish over the future, or from the loss of a close friend. Comfort them and bring them to a place of peace and calm. In Your Son’s name, Amen.

*quotes from Charles Spurgeon’s  Morning by Morning

Using Our Cancer

“So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, ‘At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’ See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!” 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2

During this exciting time of the Summer Olympics, there is so much inspirational material on the news that I almost don’t need to read my usual devotions…almost! Today I heard about a basketball player who, after becoming a Christian, began to wonder why God kept blessing him. Why was he so successful in everything he did? Why did he always win? Why didn’t he experience more hardships, like other players did? This thought began to bother him, until one day God spoke to his heart and told him the reason why… so that he would have a platform. He now has a platform to make a difference in the lives of others. People listen to him when he speaks, and those who admire him want to imitate him. When he realized this, he stopped dwelling so much on his career and began focusing on inspiring others, to show them the way to true peace and joy and fullness of life. Ironically, he is still winning games constantly. It struck me that his blessing is not so different from mine. Cancer patients have also been given a platform. We can now relate to an entirely new segment of society. As Christians, we have an opportunity to bring healing and hope to those who despair.  Like the basketball player on the news, we can point to the One Who Heals and our words will have more credibility than ever before, especially when we share our testimony of how our amazing God has carried us through our trial. The nurses are watching, the neighbors are watching, our children are watching…what a golden opportunity to show where our strength comes from, to "use" and not to "waste" our cancer. And ironically, when I find myself focusing on others, I stop dwelling so much on my disease. And by His grace, I am winning.

Thank You, Lord, for constant reminders of Your grace. Every situation in my life can be used for Your glory. Help me to let Your light shine through my life, to stop dwelling on my own situation and to think of what You would have me do for others. Bless those who suffer, who fear, and who are in pain, and show them that Your strength and Your grace are more than enough to carry them.