There are a few verses that have been a huge comfort to my family and myself in the past week. (The Bold emphasis is mine.) I put links with them (from the page it links to you can change versions to The Message or NIRV and it’s a bit easier to understand).
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!11Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
My mother-in-law gave me a little devotional book “Days of Praise” that has the fall months dealing with trials and finding comfort in Jesus. It’s pretty cool how God uses things like that to encourage us when we’re down.
We’re still praying for healing, a fast recovery and that God will show Himself to people all around. I’ve heard a few stories of how God’s working in hearts because of this situation. I’m not doing anything here. It all points back to God. He’s the one drawing people closer to Him, yet He’s using me and this crazy tumor to help show others (and me) His amazing love and peace.
Some of my best friends from TN are coming here tonight. I’m looking forward to late night pedicures and laughter. Surgery is still planned for Thursday with the final MRI tomorrow. Let’s pray it’s not there when I get the final scan =)
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