“As for cancer or any potentially life threatening situation. You can look at it two ways. One as a thief.
A thief comes and steals what is most precious, your faith.
The other a Messenger.
A messenger that reminds you of your mortality and draws you closer to God.”
Author Unknown.
Cancer is one of the worst things that can happen to a person. Most people regard it as a thief as they would any terminal illness.
But the author above makes a good point when he says you can regard it as “a messenger that reminds you of your mortality and the need to draw closer to God.”
That’s of course if you believe in God. If you don’t and you see nothing beyond the grave any terminal illness can make you worry. After all you are being robbed of the one thing everyone values most, their life.
As a believer in Christ, believer in God I have no fear of death. Death is simply a transition from this life to the next with God. I know where I will spend eternity.
My Pastor showed me how faith in God can give you peace.
I have a great deal of respect for my pastor. He is a man of great faith. He gives praise to God every day of his life in the good times and in the bad.
Five years ago he was diagnosed with colon cancer and told he wouldn’t live more than two years even with surgery and chemotherapy and radiation.
In fact the doctor who did the surgery on him said he would not have gone in had he realized it was so bad. Still he cut away what he could and my pastor underwent Chemotherapy.
My pastor admitted he was down when he first got the news but he said he realized that he served a great and loving God and that His will would prevail.
He took comfort in the fact that God had been there for him in the good times and would now be with him in the bad. And he would be content with God’s will being done in his life.
His trust was well founded. Today five years later they cannot find the cancer and he gives the praise to God.
Talking privately with him he told me that as a Christian he was in a win, win situation. That with Christ as his Saviour he knew where his eternal resting place was. That he would go to heaven. Where there was no more suffering and pain.
At the same time if God had more for him to do here on earth God would heal him and let him continue in his ministry and be with his family.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
I myself have proven the words of Jesus to be true. I too had cancer shortly after my operation I developed large blood clots on my lungs and in my groin. They almost killed me. I admit it bothered me. But, and I know this seems odd to the conventional mind, I had peace that God would make things right.
I remembered the twenty-third psalm
The Psalmist wrote,
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Psalm 23I made Christ Lord of my life over forty years ago and I can honestly say he has been with me through all that time.
I today am cancer free but still live with Bi-polar disorder (manic depression) an incurable illness that at times causes me a great deal of grief. Never-the-less I know God is with me.
With Christ in my life I am able to do all things. As the apostle Paul wrote,
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13.
For me knowing God is there for me in good times and bad, makes life worthwhile. Gives life meaning and enriches my very being.
Do you believe in God? Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour? Where will you spend eternity?
Please think about it.
No comments:
Post a Comment