I would never ‘in’ this world be glad that I had
cancer. Yet, from a life-learning,
God-honouring, spirit-living, ‘out’ of this world, perspective, I am thankful
that I did.
I know that sounds weird and even a little foolish - how can
anyone utter those two words in the same sentence; glad and cancer? But I am
glad.
I am not glad that those wretched, devouring cells wreaked
havoc in my body. I am not glad that I had to have 6 months of intensive
bittersweet poison course through my veins traversing - not differentiating
between the healthy and the hideous untoward. I am not glad that my family and friends
were sent into turmoil as they tried to figure out how to help.
But I am glad for a million other reasons.
- God got my attention
- I learned to lean on Him alone
- I realized that I am NOT in control of anything
- I learned to love deeper
- I learned to speak sweeter
- I learned to listen better
- I learned to forgive quickly
- I learned to judge slowly
- I found out that some things don’t really matter and it’s not important for me to win all the battles
- I learned the value and importance of family
- I discovered what unconditional love means.
- I learned that when I don’t allow people to help me, I am actually stifling the God-given gifts of others
- I found out that death is nothing to fear
- I learned the importance of giving hope to others
- I found out that God doesn’t need me to defend Him. He just needs me to serve Him.
- I found out that ‘paying it forward’ is the best way to pay someone back
- I learned that gratitude is more than an emotion – it is an action
- I came to the conclusion that gratitude is also an attitude that can change perspective and promote well-being
- I learned to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for me...
No, cancer is not something I would wish for anyone to go
through. But even seven years later as I give thanks to God that he chose for
me to survive the battle, I am still learning. God is not finished with me yet,
and I know every morning when the sun comes up I am filled with the love of
Jesus and the hope in His promises and the peace that passeth all that
understanding [that I thought I had.] As I think upon these things I know I
have two choices when I roll out of bed – wallow in self-pity, bemoaning all that
I have been through and all the troubles that lie in wait OR I can put a smile
on my face and say – “Okay, God – what are we up to today?”
*************
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which
indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,
singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts
to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-19
