The Odds Are in Our Favor

          My friend, Dave Powlison, has struggled with cancer for some time.  Dave is a professor and he serves on the faculty at the Christian Counseling Education Foundation.  This is a guy who's really on-the-go, but this cancer has slowed him down significantly.  Now I've never had to face cancer, but as I've watched Dave, I have drawn so much encouragement, so much help and hope just observing the way he approaches the challenges of his disease. 

            Because as you well know, cancer - the word alone is so alarming - it spreads fear and doubt (and, boy, being in this wheelchair, I know something about doubt).  Dave has gone through the usual chemotherapy routines, the waiting, the uncertainty, the awful reactions to the drugs, but I'm amazed at the way he has kept his emotional balance, his courage.  And in the face of his fears about cancer, well just listen to what he wrote...

            He said, "Joni, I have learned that for every one sentence you say to others about your cancer, say ten sentences about your God, your hope, and what He is teaching you, and the small blessings of each day.  For every hour you spend researching or discussing your cancer, spend ten hours researching and discussing and serving your Lord.  Relate all that you are learning about cancer back to God and His purposes, and you won't become obsessed with fears and doubts."

            Wow, now that is amazing advice!  I'm going to remember this special insight from my friend, Dave, when I feel overwhelmed in this wheelchair of mine.  And I hope you can relate.  Because when we are hit hard with suffering, I mean come on, admit it:  we are so prone to go on and on about our problems - especially problems that relate to our health:  arthritis, pain, a knee or hip surgery that's not healing, a rehabilitation program that's hard; we can go on even about chemotherapy or cancer!  Well, I need to learn that for every sentence I say to others about my condition, I need to say ten sentences about the grace and strength and help and encouragement and blessings that God gives me!

            Because the truth is, in this world it's a 100% guarantee that we are certain to suffer.  But in the same way, Jesus Christ is 100% certain to meet us, and 100% to encourage us, comfort us, and give us grace and strength, and to restore joy in our lives.  You are 100% certain to pass through terrible problems in this life, but please remember that your Savior is 100% certain to be with you through every challenge.  The Bible tells us time and again that He's faithful.  Greater is God who is in you than any ache or pain or even terminal illness.  Remember today, if you start talking about your health issues, be sure to talk also about the grace of our wonderful Lord to sustain and save 100%.

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