I have always trusted in the Lord but it is only since I have been diagnosed with cancer that I have truly come to know the full meaning of Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." The road of cancer is not a straight one. There are forks in the road and choices must be made. These are not simple choices that are inconsequential but they are choices of life and death. This reality at times causes me to want to trust other people to make the choice for me. It would be easier than wading through tons of research, web sites and other information. And yet I know God is the only one who knows what the correct choice is for my life. It is much harder to hear God's voice speaking than man's. His voice is the one that will put me on the path of healing. As I have sought alternative methods to healing cancer I have come to realize there are hundreds if not thousands of options. Which one(s) will work? Knowing I do not have the knowledge to make this decision could cause fear and panic to set in. So I go to God's word and I am comforted by scriptures like Proverbs 3 that says He will make our paths straight.
Another one I cling to is Isaiah 30:20-21 "Although the Lord gives you the bread of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
I am trusting God to bring the people into my life who will teach me and help direct my path towards complete healing.
Do you have choices you need to make? My encouragement to you is create a daily time where you listen. Mine happens to be from 4:30-5:30 a.m. each day. This is the only time there is complete silence in my home. When I stop the noise of life I can hear his voice. When do you stop the noise of your life to kneel at His feet and quiet your spirit so you can listen? Listening is a discipline in our spiritual lives that many of us do not exercise.
Proverbs 4:1 says, "Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding."
Your Heavenly father is longing to speak to you because He loves you. Have confidence that He will not leave you alone to make your choices in life. He will be behind you whispering, "This is the way, walk in it."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
Linn,
Thanks again for encouraging others through your cancer. Nicole and I are praying for you, along with our youth group, elders, pastors, and everyone else @ PVCC. We love you guys!
Linn-
Reading your blog has been really inspirational. Mark, Allyson, Thomas & I are praying for you, along with members of our church, I have a link to your blog on mine.
~Danielle :)
Linn, Thank you for the encouraging words. We are going through a tough time right now as well. It is hard to know the "right" decision and your reminder to "LISTEN" was so needed. It is natural to take our request to God sometimes like a Honey do list, but to spend time being still and listening for Gods answers is not as easy. We are so instant gratification oriented. We will be praying for you. God bless and thanks for sharing again.
Michaele'
Linn,
I received your blog info from Loren Naffziger. I also attend FCC. Your words are very encouraging for all who read them, but I know they are for you from our loving Father. I just celebrated my 5 year breast cancer survivor anniversary on Sept 27th, also my 50th birthday! I chose the traditional path of surgery, chemotherapy,and radiation. It was very hard and I almost gave up on chemo. But, God is faithful and so gentle and loving. He gave me the strength to finish. One of my many verses "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
I am a nurse and the ministry opportunities which my experience with cancer has opened is amazing. Sometimes what we go through has really little to do with us. With Gods help we see the big picture and what He can do through our experience if we let Him. My prayers are with you and your family as you travel this journey. If you would like to speak to another survivior, give me a call, 619-562-9215. "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace" Num 6:24-25.
Joy in the mist of trail
Dear Sister in Christ Linn, I am Kevin Manour mom (FCHS student). After reading your note to Mr. Naffziger today, you said cancer was a GIFT from the Lord ……….these words encouraged me. I like to see our trails as gifts that bring us much closer to the Father. I know Our Father loves us so much and misses us He enjoys us when we spend time with him and take the special time 4:30 to 5:30 to listen to him I love this so much.
We have been having few trails and crises for couple years. Lots of time, I did not want to pray or read the Word but the Lord so Faithful He would find a way to tell me I will never leave you or forsake you His word touches the gift of faith that so root it in my heart and YOURS too. His promises are unshakable unchangeable. Thank you for your words of encouragement. Psalm 57: 1. I will pray for you and ask my church to pray too. 1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by.
Hi Linn,
Once again, I am encouraged and blessed by your blog. You are in my prayers today and of course tomorrow as you go into surgery.
What a strength it is to know He will be with you in the operating room and every step of the way.
Much love to you -
Donna
Hi Mom! I just wanted to let you know that I'm praying for you today. After reading your blog I was reminded of one of my favorite verses that says "whether you walk to the right or the left you will hear a voice saying, 'this is the way, walk in it.'"
Like you said, this road you are going down is full of forks and decisions to be made. Just know that no matter which road you go down, God is there telling you to keep going. He will guide your paths and make them straight.
I have no doubt that whatever path you take, God is going to bring healing to your life, not because you chose the "right" method of treatment but because no matter what method you choose, you are trusting in God, not the treatment, to heal you.
I am sure that God would not say to you, "Well Linn, if you would have only done chemo, then I would have healed you." That's just silly! God is a loving God who desires a submitted heart above all else.
You have that and then some and I know that God will be just as faithful to you as you are to him.
This has been a long road already and I know there is an even longer journey ahead. Sometimes I feel like I don't even know where to begin with my prayers, but I do keep praying singing the same thing over and over again in my car,
"I cast all my cares upon you, and lay all of my burdens down at your feet. Anytime I don't know what to do, I just cast all my cares upon you."
Cast your cares upon God because He cares for you. I know your surgery is going to go so well tomorrow and I can't wait to come up to Pine Valley and watch movies and relax with you!
I love you mom, not just for who you are, but for how you let Christ shine through you in all things. I know all these people have been encouraged by you and just remember, we will overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony!
And yours is awesome!
Love you!
Chalese
Post a Comment