The Thorn

I wanted to share a scripture today – it’s one that’s become so important to me lately. Back in March I was diagnosed with colon cancer (there are spots on my liver and there’s an ovary involved too. Surgery is just not an option) and have been going through chemo treatments since late April. This is not a case where they caught it early, so chemo will be a long-term thing. Since the very minute I heard the word “malignancy” back in the hospital in March I’ve been dug into the Word even more than before. It was an odd feeling when they told me what I had, and I told them it was all good, because God’s got this. My response was immediate. There was a peace inside of me even at the moment they uttered the word “cancer”. I know that things may not turn out the way I’d like HERE, but I have confidence that there will be healing AFTER. And isn’t that what really counts? Eternity? I’ve been spending a lot of time in the gospels and even more time in the letter from Paul. He was in prison when he wrote a lot of those letters, and physical illness like cancer can be very much like being in prison. Paul was at peace knowing that he might or might not ever live outside of that prison again. And I’m at peace knowing I might not be healed here. God is good to me every day and I have such an appreciation for everything. I can’t do a lot of what I’d like to do but something that’s become really important to me is SHOWING people around me what the Gospel IS. Jesus, in the garden after the last supper prayed to his father, asking that – if possible – that cup pass from him… but if NOT, then His will be done. I’ve prayed that very same thing. Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and I am SO thankful for this life – every little bit of it. 2 Corinthians 12 :7-10And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

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