It was just 9 years and 2 months ago when I received the diagnosis of breast cancer. I don’t think that anything can
prepare you for that kind of news. It’s a real punch in the gut and you can’t
help but lose a sense of peace.
Is your faith standing trial?
It takes a lot of faith
to trust God’s will for your life, much like Job, who lost
absolutely everything in his life, even his wife and children. It’s hard to
imagine that when most of us would feel like life wasn’t worth living anymore, Job
remained strong in his faith. But, like most human beings, Job did reach a point of questioning
and blaming God.
I had decided early on in my treatment that no matter what happened, I wanted the level of Christian maturity & grace to be able to plant my feet firmly in God’s promises. Oh! He has many promises, indeed!
Our faith will always be tested throughout our life time.
The question is, will we still praise God in our “wilderness” just as much as
when we are on the mountain top?
Faith under fire
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from
God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our
fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can
separate us from God's love.
39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed,
nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God
that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in
me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart,
because I have overcome the world."
What steals your sense of peace?
The Bible tells us of many other ways we can lose peace in
our lives. Think about those times of stubbornness, foolishness and unforgiveness.
How many times can you get your peace back by just saying “I’m sorry”?
Even our past can keep us chained and we can lose peace if
we hang on to those things that weigh us down. It steals our joy and peace;
just like worrying about tomorrow robs our joy of today.
Our attitudes, emotions and relationships with one another
greatly affects our sense of peace. Romans 12 is
a guide in learning God’s will for our lives and how to live in peace with one
another.
Pray for a peace that will settle your troubled heart
6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about
everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds
anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you
live in Christ Jesus.
Peace that Passes ALL understanding
As my faith matured, even the fear of dying released its grip. A supernatural and divine peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ washed over me. Heaven is my home!
55 "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is
your sting?"
It was during this journey that I would tell others, "You have to walk thru it to get to the other side". This just means either you will get through the situation or you will come to your final destination. With God’s Holy peace, you will be able to press on in any storm and endure until the end.
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Peace be with you, my friend ~
