1 more!!

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Be still; stand firm; be courageous; be strong; act out of love. These are all great commands the Lord gives us in His Word, and they are all a challenge to follow, especially when circumstances are trying and difficult. James 1:2-3 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

For the past 14 weeks or so, I've faced one major trial: cancer, but God has healed me, and I am now in remission. It's been difficult understanding that, although my doctor says I'm in remission, I still have to go through the pain of chemo. Today I woke up and didn't feel like moving from my bed. Chemo just makes you feel that bad, and the Nulasta shot I get on Friday makes it twice as bad on Saturday and Sunday, and sometimes for a few days after that. Knowing that I'm cancer-free, I could not be more thankful for the Lord's faithfulness and answer to prayers.

God has taught me more through having cancer than through anything else. Struggling with something like cancer opens your eyes to the suffering that goes on around the world all the time. God allows suffering because it tests our faith and produces perserverance. I couldn't agree with James more on that one. When I first found out that I had cancer, I was a little upset with God. I wasn't bitter, just confused. I did think,"I don't deserve this. I couldn't be hearing him right. God, what's going on?" But, as I watched my mom's eyes tear up, I found confidence in the Lord and began my struggle to trust Him completely at that very moment.

Before cancer, my life wasn't perfect, but for the most part, I was pretty comfortable with everything in it. With my family, my friends, school, my work load, my growing relationship with the Lord, etc. Having cancer has taught me more and more that God doesn't want our lives to be "comfortable" because not much happens when you're comfortable. Struggles make us stronger and draw us closer to God because when we realize we aren't in control, we have to put our hope and faith in Christ to get us through everything. He promises us that everything will work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose, and He doesn't want us to be anxious or worry about anything, but to find peace in Him. "For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." 2 Corinthians 1:5. God also wants us to share in Christ's sufferings.

I know you all have also been through a lot of different trials, whether big or small, over the past few months. Trust that God has placed those in your life for a reason, and that He is shaping you into the man or woman He wants you to become by giving you those trials to overcome. I have so much for which to be thankful, and I'm not thankful for cancer, but I'm thankful for what God has taught me through it. I have one more chemo left, and then 3 weeks off before radiation. I'm so excited about finishing chemo and being able to feel more myself. Have a wonderful weekend, and spend some time alone with God, and remember to thank Him for the trials He has placed in your life.