As I was sitting having quiet time tonight, I found my thoughts occasionally drifting to the “what ifs” and “what if chemo doesn’t work”. I know I repeatedly mention this, but it is a large part of the mental battle when dealing with chemo and cancer. Like any war or fight, there are times when you face the same battle over and over again. Maybe your battle isn’t cancer, but you find yourself fighting the same thing or the same thoughts over and over again. I have been there too. We are human. I continue to pray and give this to God- it is sometimes a moment by moment thing where I have to keep doing it.
During my quiet time I read my devotional, read a book and pray. My devotional talked about doing things for the glory of God, and so that God’s glory will be evident, not our own- for it is not about us. I am reminded that any strength that I have through this fight does not come from me, it comes from God and apart from Him I can do nothing. I can try to do things on my own strength, but I have learned over and over again that I will fail miserably. One of the books I am reading quoted some pretty fitting scripture – and right when I needed to be reminded of something: God is my strength and God is in control. Here are the Bible verses that I read and spoke so loudly to me:
Lamentations 3:17- 26 “I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord.” I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I will remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love ew are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him”. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”.
Jeremiah 17: 7-8 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought, and never fails to bear fruit.”
Philippians 3:7-9 “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ- the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith”
God has a plan and He is in control, not me and not my situation. When I remember this and give it to God I have a peace- a peace I can’t describe. If I look at my situation and take my eyes of God, man….I am a mess. All I see are the “what ifs” and “oh my goodness, its stage 4”. But when I keep my eyes on God- I cannot being to describe the peace and the joy that I feel, even in this situation. I look to my Lord and Savior for my strength- because on my own I have none.
If you find yourself not knowing Jesus and you want to know Him and accept Him- don’t wait! I have learned that life is short, and tomorrow is guaranteed for no one. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. If you don’t know Jesus and you want to accept Him in your heart, you can say this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead and you are the only way to heaven. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus Name, Amen. If you said this prayer, I urge you to connect with other followers of Jesus. If you don’t know anyone, please feel free to contact me via email, you are not alone!
Let Jesus be your strength like He is mine. If you know Jesus and need strength, pray and ask Him for it.
Forged In The Flames 