Heard the C word again; the one that fills the human heart with dread.
The C word that forces me to “lean not on my own understanding”
But rest in a sovereign God.
He tells me surgery is scheduled, but the doctor’s optimistic prognosis doesn’t slay the inner demons swimming in the back of the mind:
What if ?
Dwelling on the problem instead of the Lord,
Feeds FEAR and makes it grow into a gIANT that only faith can slay.
“For the Lord your God will hold your right hand saying to you, ‘Fear not. I will help you.’” (Isaiah 41:13)
- Fear not, even if it’s cancer.
- Fear not, I will hold your right hand.
- Fear not, I will help you.
I cling to that promise like a blanket and fall asleep, one ear listening for the phone to ring.
And it does ring, waking me up just as dawn appears on my horizon and bird song fills the air.
A weary monotone voice greets me from a thousand miles away where skies are blue, but not for him.
I feel the weight of the world on his shoulders as he waits for his wife’s operation to be over, and the lab results to show good news.
Words stick in my throat as I search for the right thing to say.
“May I pray with you?”
Instead of holding warm-blooded hands, I grip the cold metal of my cell phone and …
- Plead to the heavens on his behalf.
- Pray to the Lord who is an ever present help in times of trouble.
- Claim God’s promises that are true.
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. (Isaiah 43:2)
If only I could crawl through the phone, and sit beside him. Show that I care beyond words. But I can’t.
So I hang up and do what I can.
- Bow my head and pray some more.
- Sound the trumpet so my fellow saints will pray too.
- Rely on the Holy Spirit who dwells within my friend to do what I can’t.
Be his strength in weakness;
give him grace that is enough,
guard his mind with the peace that surpasses human understanding.
Even in this ……
Share this:
Even In This 
Wow, Karen, it’s so hard to watch the ones we love suffer, isn’t it? I’m praying the news was good. Or that if it wasn’t, God will use it for good.
LikeLike
Thank you Barb, we’re still waiting to hear. I think of something Beth Moore once shared in a Bible study video. Fill in the blank: “What if…..happens. Then……” Even our worst scenarios will lead us back to a sure thing. God loves us, He will not forsake us.
LikeLike
It has been said that ” Life is hard; but God is good.” Sounds trite, but it’s true. Praising God today that He demonstrates that goodness in the body of Christ; for we are one BODY banded together in this thing called life.
LikeLike
Beautifully stated. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
You always find the right words to say to ease the worry and fear of someone in need. Thanks, Karen!
LikeLike
Thank you. I try, but mostly I trust in the Lord to do what I’m unable to do or say. Otherwise I’d drown under the weight of other people’s heartache.
LikeLike
Me too Cathy. That Isaiah passage was my lifeline during cancer treatment. And like you Karen, I have prayed it for many others since. I join you in orayer for your friend.
LikeLike
Thank you Judy for your prayers. If you prayed those scripture then I’m assured that it was from God who laid it on my heart.
LikeLike
Those verses you quoted were some of the very ones that I clung to in my battle with “C”. God is faithful…always…Thanks again, my precious friend, for reminding me of my awesome God and His love for me!
LikeLike
Seriously? Wow! Our God is awesome, and faithful to fulfill HIs promises. I am reminded of your trial a few years ago. Praising God for your renewed health.
LikeLike