Still Surviving Still Trusting
In December of 2010 I
was diagnosed with cancer. It came from
out of nowhere. I had no warning or any
indication that there was anything wrong.
I discovered a swollen gland on the right side of my neck. It did not go away, my surgeon advised that I
should have surgery to remove the mass. As the days unfolded, I realized I was
stepping into the world of the unknown, that my life was going to be
drastically different and that I was going to be on a JOURNEY, unlike any
journey I had ever been on … a TRUSTING
JOURNEY of depending on God for His provision.
Although my doctors did everything they could do to help
inform me and prepare me for the journey, nothing could really prepare me for the
debilitating, weakened places my mind, my spirit, my soul and my body would
experience in the days, the months and years to come.
Even though navigating the journey was very difficult at
times, I knew that I had a choice.
Daily I had to strive to focus not on the battle I was in…but on finding
my “ brave”. Bravery and courage are key elements in
dealing with cancer. However, I could
not have been brave or have the courage to fight the battle, without the help
and support of my precious family members and the many friends that came
alongside me. They helped me focus on
finding the most meaningful way to live through the battle with cancer, even
though the journey was hard.
Courage does not mean, however that there is no fear. Having nothing to fear wouldn’t require
courage. On a daily basis, I had to
come against fear….and at times I still do.
But courage means living with an open heart, embracing our human frailty,
vulnerability and mortality, and believing that God’s Word is true, that when I
am weak, HE IS STRONG…(2 Corinthians 12:10)
Cancer brought about many stops and starts in my personal
life. My friends and family members
would be going about life moving forward – looking and living in a normal
way…not me. I would take
one-step-forward-and-two-steps-back.
Many times I felt like life was leaving me behind and passing me
by. But these past several years have been
an opportunity for personal growth and development in so many positive ways for
me. As I reflect, I can see that with every
setback, there was a comeback. During
the difficulty, I was forced to take one day at a time, understanding what I
could and could not control. This was a
life-changing lesson, one that provided
freedom to enjoy the simple things and to better appreciate life and all it has
to offer. The old saying that “life is
too short” is certainly true. I try my
best to support others in their time of need and to share my story in terms of
acceptance, overcoming obstacles, appreciation, compassion for others and
TRUSTING in our FAITHFUL GOD.
On this TRUSTING journey, there are time it feels like
yesterday that I received the diagnosis and sometimes it feels like it was a long time ago. Every year as the month of December
approaches I find myself reflecting on my TRUSTING JOURNEY. Even as I put my thoughts to the paper, I am reflecting on moments that were challenging along the way of being a cancer survivor… an OVERCOMER… and I
realize that it is only by the grace of God.
I
know that many of you reading this right now are carrying an extra load of
worry, of anxiety and fear. Our world is full of uncertainties and we face tough situations, changes and challenges
with each dawn of a new day. I
encourage you to lean into the Word of God.
The life scripture that I hold onto is Proverbs 3:5&6, “TRUST in the
Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all
of your ways acknowledge Him and HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATH!” (the emphasis are mine😊) When we choose to lean on our own understanding
instead of God’s promises, we open the flood gates of emotions, anxiety, worry and fear. I Peter 3:5 says “ Cast all of your care on Him for He
cares for you.”
Because He cares soooooo very deeply for us, we can cast our
anxiety, our worry, our fear, and depression on HIM.
Do not listen to the lie that you can’t make it. That you will never be BRAVE ENOUGH. That you can’t be courageous enough to face
tomorrow. That you are alone and no one cares
for you! It is not true…You are
loved Jesus LOVES you! YOU ARE NOT ALONE, and you are not
powerless. The Bible reminds us that
God Himself said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” Hebrews 13:5. God is saying, Not only will I never physically
leave you, but my heart will never turn away from you.;” Be assured and encouraged that when God says
never, He means NEVER. God has not left
you or forsaken you, and HE NEVER WILL!
While we may not always understand everything that happens, DON’T LOSE
HEART! DON’T GIVE UP! Trust in the God who will never leave you!
I am grateful to celebrate being Cancer Free. I’m STILL SURVIVING STILL TRUSTING! I
encourage you, even when life isn’t what you expected and you have experienced
challenges along the way, to remember, 2 Corinthians 4:1 - … “Since God in His mercy
has given us this new way, WE NEVER GIVE UP.”
Keep TRUSTING!
I would love for you to share your STORY with me! #STILLSURVIVINGSTILLTRUSTING
Blessings,
Pastor Debbie
