Sometimes, the world seems to come at us all at once. Personal struggles. Pain. Confusion. Loss. Tragedy. But - and I love the word but - as believers, we can look at these difficulties like Paul did: "we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed..." 2 Cor. 4:8,9
And we can say with David..."Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God." Psalm 43:5
Let's put our faith in His promises and not lose hope. What promises? Just a quick glance into the Psalms tells me that the Lord is near to all who call upon Him, He keeps those who love Him, He heals the brokenhearted, He sustains those who fall, He satisfies our desires....
What promises from God's Word have strengthened you?
3 comments:
"and those whom he justified he also glorified." (Romans 8:30). - A promise guaranteed because of past, present and future grace in Christ :D
From Isaiah 43, 45, 46:
The LORD who created you says: “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, 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. For I am the LORD, your GOD, the Holy One of Israel, Your Savior. ... I am the LORD, and there is no other. … I am the One Who sends good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the One Who does these things.” … This is what the LORD, the Creator and Holy One of Israel, says: “Do you question what I do? Do you give me orders about the work of my hands? ... I created you and have cared for you since before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. "
This scripture was extremely meaningful for me when my husband had severe, mysterious medical problems and we had to be separated for 10 days while he was flown out to a place with adequate medical care.
God truly did carry me along.
I came to your blog via "Truth Matters". I thought this post over there goes with your post.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Both Carol and myself have been overwhelmed with the many brothers and sisters who have encouraged us with their prayers and financial support! I asked Josh if Carol and I could give an update and share our testimony. There were many tests done on Carols cancer, but the ONKA test is the one that gives the percentage of cancer reoccurrence, and she did score high on this test. For this reason her oncologist wants to keep her "port" in her chest for future chemo infusions and she will be on oral chemo for seven years instead of five. As many of you know, Carol had her entire colon removed and she also had a bilateral "radical" masectomy (includes lymph nodes). She has a hernia at her ileostomy which has to be repaired and her ileostomy must be re-routed. This is something that will be done when she gets all her strength back and her pain is better managed. This doesn't sound very good...does it? Well, "we' claim that God is Sovereign and "we" must bite the whole apple! I do not command the English language very well and I am at loss for words to expess our gratitude. Many of you "we" will never meet this side of glory, but what a wonderful day when all of "us" will be together for eternity glorifying our Lord! "We" wanted to share our testimony with all of you that we shared with Calvary Bible Church.
My wife has had her entire colon removed and she also had a bilateral radical mastectomy. Actually, if I were to tell you all the organs that have been removed from her body, you would need both hands to count them. We have been broken and humbled. The one thing that “we” can say is that even though there are no guarantees that the cancer will not come back and even though my beautiful wife is scarred emotionally and physically, while “we” were sinners…the lowest of the low…God saved us! And that is enough! Even if the cancer comes back, God is enough! He is good! He is precious! He is our treasure! He will satisfy us!
“Whom have we in heaven but the Lord and on earth there is nothing we desire but Him! Our flesh and our hearts may fail but the Lord is the strength of our hearts and our portion forever!”
“ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME, LET ANGELS PROSTRATE FALL! BRING FORTH THE ROYAL DIADEM AND CROWN HIM LORD OF ALL!”
In Christian love,
Ike and Carol (Josh's parents)
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