4 Things I Learned From My Cancer Journey

Our guest blogger, Debbie, has been missing in action around here for almost a year now. 

Like many of us in 2020, she's been on an unexpected journey. But Debbie's journey was different than the journey most of us have been on over the past several months. Her journey included not only all that COVID brought to our world, her journey also included that dreaded "C" word--cancer.

We all know someone who has been on the cancer journey. Maybe, you've even traveled that road yourself. The greatest thing to know is that as Christian women, as women of God, we know that we do not travel that road alone! Not only do we not travel the road alone, but God also gives us unique opportunities to share the road with those who come behind us. Today, Debbie shares that road with us in the third of a 3-part series--4 Things I Learned From My Cancer Journey.

This lovely Bible study, from The Daily Grace Co., traces the promises of God from Genesis to Revelation. It traces the story that God is writing through covenant promises to His children. This study walks through the story of Scripture through the lens of the covenants and reminds us that God has always been faithful and we can be confident that He will be faithful in our lives as well.

If you loved the Amen Bible study, this study is for you! It is the perfect study for digging even deeper into the story of redemption. This book is 8x10. It is 159 pages long.

GET YOUR FAITHFUL FROM EDEN TO ETERNITY BIBLE STUDY HERE

4 Things I Learned From My Cancer Journey

I have always wondered how a person’s life would change after going through a life and death experience. Recently after being healed of stage IV cancer, it was time for me to reevaluate my life for change. Probably the first thing I needed to evaluate was my priorities. While being so sick my world became exceedingly small. I realized many temporal things and daily thoughts are unnecessary. Ironically, the Lord had already given me Colossians 3:2 as my focus verse for 2020, 

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2

As my sickness and treatments dragged on, my thoughts turned to God and His promises. I communed with Him almost constantly.

As life begins to get back to “normal” my relationship with God is stronger. My dedication to my family, church, and friends is still prominent in my life but now with heartfelt thankfulness. I have a great love to serve others, and God has given me the opportunity to do that a while longer.

My daily life today is not a lot different than what it was before my trial, but eternity is in my thoughts now more than ever before. There is also a daily dependence on God, which was not as intense. My desire to witness and share salvation, especially with my doctor, is greater.

There is still daily work to be done—cleaning the house, laundry, preparing meals, grocery shopping, etc., but I believe God used this trial to help me now focus on people more than on routine.

​Spending time with my husband, hugging my grandchildren, talking to people face to face—these are the things I missed most during my illness and now treasure more than ever.

4 spiritual lessons God taught me (or maybe retaught me) during my cancer journey:

• Everything is dependent on God is probably the main truth I learned. I know and have taught that God is sovereign and in control. But when I could not cure myself of cancer or make myself feel better during treatments, I realized it was totally up to God to decide how things would turn out.
• God’s Word is my greatest source of comfort and hope. Several people gave me note cards with verses written on them. These became precious to me. I read them during infusions, before procedures when I could not sleep, and during prayer time. For special strength and encouragement, I spent most of my Bible reading time in the Psalms.
• Prayer is powerful! I believe prayer and the grace of God got me through my cancer journey. Many people were praying for me and some I did not even know. There were people all around the world praying on my behalf. God answers the prayers of His people!
• I must always give glory to God. He is gracious and kind in all things.

God’s ways are not always our ways. I do not know why I had cancer. I do not know why He chooses to heal some believers and take others to Heaven. I do know that He has left me here to share Christ with others and praise Him for His goodness.

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for Thou art my praise.” Jeremiah 17:14.

If you've had a cancer journey, share with us the spiritual lessons God taught you through it.

Read the first post in this mini-series The Unexpected Journey.
Read the second post in this mini-series Faith Over Fear.
You may also be interested in 12 Letters I Wrote to a Friend With Cancer.

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