I was doing just fine! I had retired from working three years ago and was spending my time doing all the things I wanted to do. If I wanted to sleep in, I did. If I wanted to spend my days crafting, I did. I was healthy, and happy and strong. My husband and I were finally alone in the house. The kids were all grown and gone. Life was good! Whenever we wanted to take a trip, we did. We were unencumbered.When things are going well in your life, it's easy to forget to thank God for your many blessings, isn't it? I know there were days when we took our blessings for granted. But when sickness comes or things aren't going so well, that's when we call on Jesus.
I never dreamed I'd be diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Even when I received the diagnosis, I wasn't feeling ill. Sure, I'd been a little more tired than usual lately, but I chalked that up to being in my mid fifties. Didn't most people start to slow down a little by that age? The first thing I did after I'd processed the diagnosis was to go before the Lord. Of course, I asked Him "why me"? That is when I felt Him speak to my spirit and say, "why not you"? Okay, Lord...what are you trying to tell me here???
Did God want me to understand that often times He allows us to go through a season of pain or suffering to draw us closer to Himself? When we're healthy, it's so easy to forget Him and become preoccupied with the present. When we are sick, it allows us time to focus on what's really important. I'd been through many bouts with sickness, illness, and injury in the past. Every time I walked through a season of trial, God taught me something more about His character. Yes, Lord...you have my attention. What are you going to teach me this time?
When I finally chose to look at my cancer as a teaching tool, I fixed my eyes on Christ. Every day since my diagnosis, I've found myself looking at things a little differently. Instead of taking it for granted that I'm going to wake up in the morning, I am truly thankful when I do wake up. I find myself marveling at the little things and thanking God incessantly. I can sit for hours watching a hummingbird. I long to savor every second of the sunset. Life is so much more precious now.
The Bible tells us that "our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:17 This verse tells me that God indeed does have a reason for our pain and suffering. But how do we learn pain's lessons? The first thing we need to do is to go to God for answers. We have to understand that He is sovereign over every aspect of our lives and if He chooses to allow pain to enter in; He has ordained it for His purposes.
No one wants to suffer or be in pain! Pain reminds us just how very fragile we really are in this life. Some of us have a high tolerance to pain and don't really begin to complain until the pain becomes unbearable.The Bible tell us that in this world, we WILL have trouble. So if we know we will at some point face trials and tribulations, suffering and pain, why are we so surprised when it comes to visit us?
Americans don't want to be uncomfortable. When you have a headache, do you immediately take an aspirin or another type of pain reliever? Even that small amount of discomfort can disrupt your day can't it? When you have an upset stomach, don't you want to find some Alka Seltzer or Pepto Bismol? You don't want to deal with the discomfort of an aching belly. We are spoiled! We love our comfort!
When suffering comes, don't be surprised! Nothing happens to you unless it passes through God's fingers first! Either He allows it or He sends it to accomplish His divine purpose. God uses suffering and pain to bring us to a point of brokenness. When we can't fix it or make it better, we realize that God is the only one who can. He has a purpose for our pain. The purpose is often to teach us a valuable lesson, but God also uses suffering to show us His great love and mercy. God is the God of all comfort. He doesn't want us to go through pain or suffering without understanding that He is right there with us. He has promised in His Word to "never leave us nor forsake us".
God has been teaching me that He has allowed my Cancer for a reason. He has been my comfort through it and will continue to minister to me all along my journey. When my journey is complete, He is going to expect me to comfort others with the same comfort He has given me, and in so doing, He will receive all the glory and the praise.
There is indeed a plan behind God allowing trials and tribulations into our lives. He has a purpose for our pain. Instead of turning inward and wondering "why me", can you fathom the fact that perhaps God has specifically chosen you for this pain? When you look at it from that perspective, you can see things so much more clearly.
I'm not happy I have Cancer. I don't want to go through all the pain and suffering associated with chemotherapy, radiation, and other various forms of treatment. But I have asked God to give me the ability to comprehend His great love for me. I know that as I depend fully upon Him, He will take good care of me. He will only allow me to suffer as much as He feels I need to suffer. He will be my strength when I am weak. He will comfort me when I'm hurting, scared, or feeling afraid. He will teach me valuable lessons that only Cancer can teach me. And when my journey with this course of suffering is over, He will receive great glory. Find me faithful, Lord! I long to be obedient to You. I am your student and I'm ready for the next phase of this lesson...
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I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world." John 16:33
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement),
4 Who
comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and
affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and
encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with
the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are
comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God. For just as Christ’s [[a]own] sufferings fall to our lot [b][as
they overflow upon His disciples, and we share and experience them]
abundantly, so through Christ comfort (consolation and encouragement) is
also [shared and experienced] abundantly by us."
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
