“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28

I did not title this “The Gift OF Cancer” because, well, because cancer itself is most certainly not a gift. It is a result of a broken world. It is something that doesn’t exist in God’s Kingdom and wouldn’t exist here were it not for fact that we live in a broken world.

I titled this, “The Gift IN Cancer” because my unshakeable, undeniable, unbreakable faith in God leads me to the belief that in everything lies an opportunity to learn, to grow, to spread the Gospel, and to glorify God. An opportunity exists in everything that happens to us, or around us, to turn towards the Father and ask Him to guide us, to keep us safe, and to help us see the sun through the clouds.

God did not give me cancer, but He gives me what I need to face the road ahead:

He gives me the strength to do what must be done to fight it.

He helps to quiet me when I am tempted to be anxious.

He fills me with courage when I think I want to be filled with fear.

He pulls me closer to Him when I feel like running away.

In all things, in all circumstances, and at all times – particularly in these times – it is important to rely on our faith. It is equally important to remember that God is always faithful to us, even when we are not quite faithful to Him. In times of crisis, chaos, and confusion, and when we are faced with trials and tribulations, it is critical that we remind ourselves of the one thing that is forever constant in our lives – God’s love for us.

He never stops loving us, even when we struggle with our love for Him.

He never stops being faithful to us, even when we are tempted to think He has deserted us.

He never stops fighting for us, even if we have moments – however fleeting they may be – when we want to stop fighting for ourselves.

He never stops listening to us, even when we think we are crying out to ourselves.

I could go on and on and on, but I think you get the idea. Our faith is not put to the test when the sun is shining and all is right with the world. Our faith is put to the test when it is stormy and everything seems wrong.

And don’t misunderstand this whole thing about ‘faith being tested’ either. It is not a test we pass for God’s benefit, so that He will know we really have faith. It is a test we pass for ourselves. It is also a test we pass for those around us, so we can look at them and say, “No matter what is going on, I trust God. I may be a bit uncomfortable, but I trust in Him and in Him alone.”

We pass any test of our faith when we can look any situation, any circumstance, any tragedy, in the ‘eye’ and say, “I will trust in the Lord.”

Faith is not believing the outcome of anything occurring in our lives will be the outcome we want. Faith is trusting God to guide us to the outcome that serves His purpose and fulfills His plan for us; an outcome that results in our praising Him, honoring Him, and glorifying Him.

Our faith can be the gift in cancer, even if it kills us. Or me, in this case.

But no matter the outcome, I will never allow myself to think that He has forsaken me because it is impossible for that to happen.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV