Last year began with the C word – cancer. My mom called sometime mid-January with her diagnosis.
I usually begin a new year with some trepidation, always wondering what journey this new year will take me on. Will my kids stay safe? How will the Lord challenge and grow me? How will the next 12 months end? These are just a few questions that I have to fight off each year. They rob me of my peace, take the joy out of my moments and without restraint, the worry could consume me.
Last January the question was: Will I lose my mom this year?
And so the battle began. The battle to take my thoughts captive and bring them under the obedience of Christ.
Cancer can lead you into a very dark place. The journey for the one with cancer is very different than for the loved ones watching from afar. From afar I was afraid. I was afraid of all the what if’s. Each morning I fought against those fears with Truth. Each Truth began with “no matter what” because I needed something to ground me and keep those fearful thoughts obedient to the truth of the Word.
The Truth of God ALWAYS fights those paralyzing fears. The Word ALWAYS shines light into those times of terror that consume us in darkness.
These truths were the stepping stones that I stood upon, one step at a time, one day at a time, through my mom’s journey with cancer:
• No matter what I shall find strength within because the Lord is the strength of my life. (Psalm 27:1)
• No matter what, whether in death or life, in Christ there is victory. (1 Corinthians 15:54)
• No matter what God is good and his mercy continues on. (Psalm 100:5)
• No matter what no one, nothing could snatch you from the Lord’s hand. (John 10:28)
• No matter what the Lord crowns the year with His goodness, and His paths will drip with abundance. (Psalm 65:11)
• No matter what the Lord is my refuge and my fortress and I will trust Him. (Psalm 91:2)
• No matter what God is the El HanNe’eman, the faithful God. (Deuteronomy 7:9)
• No matter what perfect peace is possible when I trust in the Lord. (Is. 26:3)
• No matter what when I lay my fears before the Lord, He will hear me. (Psalm 34:4)
What truths can you add to these that either helped you find your footing through a dark time or are the current rocks beneath your feet during a dark journey you are walking through?
If finding your footing has been hard and fear consumes you at every corner then begin with the truths above. Then seek the Lord for more. He is a faithful companion and will walk you through any journey shining the light of His truth until you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
By the way, my mom is doing well. The cancer journey was rough for her. But with the Lord’s mercy we were all able to get through the roughest moments standing on His truth.
Blessings, Rachael
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