So don’t give up, resist, or demand immediate results by the removal of tribulations. Grasp His big picture. Hang on to Him as He hangs on to you. You will find what David learned in Psalm 63:3 about celebrating his tribulations: “Your lovingkindness is better than life. My lips shall praise You.” Let the detour become a doorway!
When we fight cancer, we have enough to navigate physically and emotionally without adding the stress of unforgiveness. After all, Ephesians tells us unforgiveness gives the devil a "foothold" in our lives, a military term for a base of operations of an enemy in our own territory. I realized the self-inflicted pain of unforgiveness could be as devastating to my soul as the cancer was to my body.
Job “sees” God, not physically, but His eyes were opened to God’s amazing ability to create and run His universe. Knowing God and knowing about Him are two different things. The path to truly knowing and experiencing Him entails pain, which strengthens our grip on God.
Job got the message and humbled himself to receive God's answer. God governs everything, how much more our circumstances! The book of Job makes me marvel at how big God is and how presumptuous I can be!
Always giving thanks FOR all things necessitates believing a good God permits everything in our lives including the hard times.
The key to thanks-giving all year lies in understanding the depth of our forgiveness. Gratitude stems from recognizing what we truly deserve versus the grace we receive. Jesus taught, “He who is forgiven much loves much,” and I believe this applies to our thanks-giving as well.
What if we knew, like Job, God is on our side and only permits cancer to lead us to higher levels of connection with His peace and joy?
When we're sick or fighting cancer like I did, we are most vulnerable to guilt and shame. Job clung to One Who lives and would take His stand on earth, his "Redeemer." We can too!
James highlighted God’s gracious character toward Job’s struggle – “You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful” (James 5:11). We can get real with God! He will graciously show Himself real to us!
People just don’t know what to say, though overall they’re trying to help. While some comments are true, timing and sensitivity are key! So, I believe in extending grace, as admittedly, I’ve said or thought some of these things myself!