God’s Got This

Last year, a thoughtful friend sent me a rock she’d hand-painted with a pink ribbon and the words, “You’ve got this.” Her words gave me much-needed hope as I battled breast cancer. Soon, however, I realized that triumphing over breast cancer would take immeasurably more than what I had. To make it through I had to constantly remind myself “God’s got this.” Because he did.

Shortly after my diagnosis, someone told me I was already a breast cancer survivor. Her words empowered me. I used to shy away from pink ribbons; now I wear one proudly. It’s not all I am, but it’s a big part of who I am. My breast cancer caught me by surprise, but it didn’t shock God.

Romans 8:28 reminds me that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” In all things, even breast cancer, God was working for my good. He gave me the gift of his love poured into my heart through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). He also gave me the gift of excellent medical care, a devoted husband, caring friends and a loving family. All of them were expressions of his hands, his feet and his heart that led to my healing.

Thanks to all of the above, I am now cancer-free. My heart breaks for those who are still battling cancer and possibly facing a different outcome. I didn’t deserve to be healed anymore than I deserved to get breast cancer. All I can do is gratefully accept each day I’ve been given.  When my husband and I go to a nice restaurant and the server asks, “Are you celebrating anything special?” we always say, “Yes. Life.”

The apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:3-4 that “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” I understand what he means after my battle with breast cancer.

With God’s help, I persevered through suffering, and by his grace, it is producing more depth and compassion in me. That gives me hope, my word for the year: hope that I can become more like Jesus. Hope that I can encourage all of us to become the women God longs for us to be, relying on him to accomplish his purposes in our lives.

“Cancer takes more than it gives,” I wrote in a note last year. I would re-write those words today. Cancer takes, but it also gives. What has it given me? A renewed sense of calling and purpose, a recharged love for my friends, my family and my Savior, and a restored appreciation for the simple pleasures of life.

I will never take another day for granted.

I will never withhold words of love or praise that are in my power to give another person.

I will never be silent about the source of my hope, my healing and my faith, and that is Jesus.

With his help, we can accomplish more than the sum total of all we can ask or imagine, according to Ephesians 3:20. Let’s put his power to work in 2019. I’m in. . . are you?