I write this a few days before my wife goes in for serious and extensive cancer surgery. Our human tendency is to focus on the worst possible things that may happen. But I know that as a Christian, that is just what God does not want us to do. God always wants us to take our focus off the suffering or problem, and direct our thoughts to him and what he has done, and will do, for us! Did you notice how many times in the Bible when people face suffering, injustice, and even death, they respond with faith in God that results in actual joy and peace? In Philippians 4:5-7, Paul says

⁴  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Notice that Paul is not saying God is going to make all your circumstances right again, with no pain or suffering! No, he reminds us that God is ALWAYS NEAR, and therefore don’t be anxious about the outcome. So, we rejoice in the LORD! And God’s peace, which is beyond our comprehension, will be given to us and will guard our hearts from evil and negative thoughts and keep our mind focused on Jesus, who has overcome sin and everything that seems like it is going to destroy us! Paul says to bring our fears, suffering, sickness, and doubts to him in prayer, with thanksgiving that God is all-powerful and near, and that will lead to peace and joy in any situation.

In book after book in the New Testament, the early Christians tell us that suffering is part of the Christian lifestyle, and that God can use that to make us stronger and actually give us joy and peace! Peter tells us in I Peter 1:3-9,

³  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴  and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you, ⁵  who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷  These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸  Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹  for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Peter reminds us that we have a living hope in the future with God, and a promised inheritance that will never perish, spoil or fade! But again, right now, we will face all kinds of fiery trials that will test our faith and actually make us stronger. The result of that is that we see God’s power working in us and for us, and so again, we can rejoice with “inexpressible and glorious joy”. We now know the final goal of our faith, the salvation our souls (the core of who WE are) because we have trusted in Jesus.

So, do I feel peace and joy that Claudia has cancer? NO!!!! Cancer and all disease and death itself is the result of human sin. It is evil, and comes from Satan, who desires to destroy us in every way. I am not at peace that I don’t know if my wife will live 6 months, or 1 year, or 20 years. But again, Peter reminds us of God’s perspective in I Peter 5:6-11:

⁶  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. ⁸  Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. ¹⁰  And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹  To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

I am at peace, and can actually experience joy, in the knowledge that God is God, and is in charge of Claudia’s (and my) life, forever! As a husband, I am totally frustrated that I can really do nothing to save her from cancer. But I find joy and peace by following Peter’s advice above. I humble myself under God’s mighty and living hand, and surrender Claudia’s life to him. I will stay spiritually alert, and rebuke and resist the devil, knowing that he wants to destroy our bodies and minds. And I can stand strong in faith with God’s help, knowing that others around the world are facing much worse trials than we are.  And so, because of God’s grace and mercy and power over sin and death, I know that God will restore both CJ and I and make us strong, firm and steadfast, whether it be in this present world or in the amazing world to come.

Please pray with us this week that:

– we will remain strong in faith, filled with peace and assurance, and will resist any thoughts of fear

– pray for our 2 surgeons, Dr. Seamon and Dr. Chung. They are excellent surgeons, and I believe that God has directed them to work on CJ. Pray that He will guide their hands and they will be able to “get it all”.

– Finally, and ultimately most importantly, pray that God will be glorified in this whole process, and others will be encouraged in faith to face their trials with hope, joy, and peace because of the awesome power of our God!

One of our favorite song writers is Robin Mark, an Irish worship leader. His song “All Is Well” pretty well describes how we feel about our situation (you can listen to it online):

He lowers us to raise us
So we can sing His praises
Whatever is His way all is well
He makes us rich and poor
That we might trust Him more
Whatever is His way all is well
All my changes come from Him He who never changes
I’m held firm in the grasp of the Rock of all the ages
All is well with my soul
He is God in control
I know not all His plans
But I know I’m in His hands
He clothes us now then strips us
Yet with His Word equips us
Whatever is His way all is well
And though our seasons change
We still exalt His name
Whatever is His way all is well

CJ’s dad used to say about his family “We have been richly blessed”. Without a doubt, CJ and I have been richly blessed with an amazing family, 41 great years of marriage, amazing friends, but most of all, an amazing God who loves us, forgives us, and holds us strongly in the palm of His hand!

I pray that you will know God’s grace, joy and peace as well, and be able to praise him even in the trials and fears of life. Thank you for your amazing prayers and support. We love and treasure you all!