In our lives, most of us can pick and choose which battles we want to fight. We are the ones who get to decide whether or not we want to put forth the energy to wage war. Battles can come in the form of family drama, emotional turmoil, workplace situations, or physical challenges. We can choose to fight those battles or run away from them. In the case of Cancer however, that battle CHOOSES us. If we don't fight it, we will ultimately lose.
Fighting a battle requires knowledge of the enemy and his tactics. In the case of family drama, one can often predict the outcome of the situation. Emotional turmoil can often be curtailed by shutting down or tuning out. Workplace situations can often be diffused by those with power to intervene. Physical challenges are different. It's often difficult to predict what the enemy of disease will do, even for trained physicians. Most of them can only make calculated guesses and work on a trial and error basis.
Cancer is a difficult foe. It can mutate and grow with no warning. It affects each person in very different ways. Although Cancer is a formidable foe, it can be eradicated. There are many weapons available to wage the war on Cancer. Chemotherapy, Radiation, Surgery, and Medication are some of the tools available today. Those tangible weapons are powerful indeed, but the most powerful weapon of all is the mind.
A diagnosis of Cancer immediately invokes fear. The fear comes from facing the unknown. Fear is one of the most favorite weapons our enemy, Satan, chooses. He chooses it because he knows that if he can get us to embrace that fear; he's already won half of the battle. Our mind is the battlefield. We wage war on a daily basis as thoughts invade our minds. This is why it's so important to "take every thought captive..." as it says in 2 Corinthians 10:5.
On Thursday, June 5, 2014, I received my diagnosis of Breast Cancer. The Doctor of Radiology was very blunt in delivering the information and immediately I felt an overwhelming fear in my heart. That fear was a fear of the unknown...a fear of impending doom...a fear of death. As a firm believer in Jesus Christ, I know that the fear was something that was not from God. How do I know this? I know this because the Bible tells me that God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of a sound mind. So what do you think I did when I felt that fear rising up inside of me? Naturally, in the flesh, I allowed it a few days to creep in and settle down. Then, I was reminded of God's Word and I immediately put on my spiritual armor and stood firm! I told myself that enough is enough!
Reinforcements came alongside me through my new nurse navigator, who called yesterday to tell me in no uncertain terms was I alone. She assured me that she would be with me every step of the way on this journey. She provided me with a 24 hour cell phone number and told me that I could call with anything...yes, anything that concerned me. I've also had family and friends step up, linking arms with me as we prepare to battle. They've given me more love and encouragement than I ever expected.
Tomorrow, I march forward. I'll be going to meet with the breast specialist, a well trained surgeon. We'll lay out the maps of my biopsies and mammograms. We'll talk strategy and prepare for war! I know too that God will be right there with me because He's promised in His Word to never leave or forsake me. He's also given me clear instruction "Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice."
Trudging into enemy territory is scary for any soldier. It's easy for me to say that I feel strong since I haven't yet begun the physical battle but, do I feel well equipped for the war ahead, YES! Am I confident that I will be victorious..YES! No matter the outcome, I know that God has already gone before me and prepared the way...He's the forward guard. As I lift my foot and prepare to set it down firmly on the battlefield, I'm confident that this war will be won valiantly...not by me, but by my Savior, Jesus Christ. All I can say at this point is LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!
©Bonnie Annis all rights reserved
[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 2 Corinthians 10:5 Amplified Bible
For
God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and
cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and
of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 Amplified Bible
Be strong, courageous, and
firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your
God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 Amplified Bible
Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.Isaiah 41:10 Amplified Bible
