A few days ago, a close friend passed away after a three-year battle with cancer.
When I say, “battle” I really mean “war” given that she was faced with numerous challenges, one after the other without reprieve – from adverse reactions to prescribed therapeutic medication, to recurrent hospital admissions including hospitals out of town and out of country until finally, the knowledge that there was nothing else that could be done to halt its advance except God intervening on her behalf.
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She fought a good fight – full of faith right up until the end, knowing that with only a word from God Himself, her circumstances could change, and her story might end differently.
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But her story did not develop in that way. The way that she had hoped and prayed for and the way that her family and friends had hoped and prayed for.
Yet she continued to trust Him and He did answer her, forever faithful to keep His Word and His promises: In Philippians 4: 6-7 (NIV) we read: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.
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The Message translation puts it this way: “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life”.
Our friend’s life was marked by her trust in God even as her body was failing her. She was not angry at God even though she hated the idea of leaving her loved ones behind; and she didn’t doubt His power or wisdom as she faced the inevitable.
When we face difficult circumstances, it is difficult to not allow the reality of our situation to dictate our mood and our attitude in general, casting a dark shadow over our lives, perhaps even our relationship with God as well.
Our friend taught us through her experience with a terminal diagnosis that when we pray in the midst of our trying circumstances, a heavenly exchange takes place – we exchange worry for an inexplicable peace that surpasses all understanding, giving us a new perspective on our circumstances and a strength to endure no matter the outcome.
A profound lesson from one who chose to live her life beautifully even when it was hard.
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