I received a call this morning from a dear friend of mine requesting prayer for her brother-in-law, Jeff. Apparently over the Christmas holiday, he was rushed to the hospital and had to have an emergency cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal). Upon the standard biopsy of the gall bladder, which is routine, they discovered cancer. This is so rare that the hospital said they only see it maybe once every 6-7 years! The doctor told him that in cases like this, the cancer is normally very widespread and aggressive. They usually give a prognosis of 5 years and they don't know at what stage he might be at currently. Now he will have to go to the oncologist for further tissue samples, etc. in a few weeks. He has a wife and 3 kids at home.
One of the first things that people go through when they hear such news is shock and then fear.
My favorite verse for this is found in Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified: do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Also we are told, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace that passes understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
God is aware of what you have need of. He knows when we are in trouble. Let's remember today that there is nothing that is impossible for the Lord! Luke 1:37
I can attest from my sister's cancer experience that God is still a God who heals. A few weeks ago, she celebrated the anniversary of her surgery and today she stands totally healed. (Perhaps I can post her testimony on tomorrow's journal entry!) It is GOD who heals us, no matter the circumstance. Doctors and medicines are tools, but they do not cause the healing. Do we trust in the name that is higher than any other name? Is His name greater than cancer? I would tell you, yes!
But, even if a man should die in his physical body, when we are in Christ, yet shall we live! Death is swallowed in victory because of the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. We pray for healing in the body while we are still here on earth, but if we die, we receive our ultimate healing. There is never any reason to lose our confidence in Him. Getting your eyes off of the circumstance is hard, but it is key. We are to set our eyes on Him. How do ships know where to go in the storm tossed sea? They look for the light coming from the lighthouse! In the same manner, we are to look to Him when our lives are in turmoil. He will guide you during that time, just like the lighthouse would for a ship.
When we are Christians and faced with a severe trial, we should rejoice in the fact that we have the ultimate HOPE! Hope dispels the light of darkness that would like to overtake us when we are in despair.
Please join me in praying for Jeff today and if any of you are out there in need healing (physical, spiritual, or emotional)...we are praying for you as well.
May the peace that passes understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and may hope dawn anew within your spirit!
