Encouraging weary women to hope in Christ alone
I recently chatted with Niki Hardy on her Chemo Chair Prayers podcast about living with the unknowns after a cancer diagnosis. I’d love for you to check it out and consider sharing it with cancer patients and survivors who might be encouraged by our conversation!
Click here to find out more or find Chemo Chair Prayers wherever you listen to podcasts.
Share
Ten years ago, I was spending most of my time in Houston. Over and over again, I left my husband and three young kids to travel to MD Anderson Cancer Center and receive chemotherapy and injections through a clinical trial. I never expected to “winter in Houston,” as I jokingly called it. But when a cancer diagnosis means you might not live long enough for your toddler to remember you, you do whatever it takes to live.
My story is just one example of how much we love life. We wear seat belts. We take vitamins. We turn our society upside down to attempt to minimize the impact of a deadly virus. When our life is threatened, do anything we can to survive.
And yet, Psalm 63 teaches us that there’s something even better than life: the steadfast love of God.
“Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.” (Psalm 63:3-4)
As we continue our study of Psalm 63, we find one of the reasons that David’s soul thirsts for the Lord—because His love is even better than life itself. Better than life?! I don’t think David is using hyperbole here, and his choice of words makes me wonder if I fully grasp the magnitude of God’s steadfast love.
The Hebrew word translated here as “steadfast love” carries a connotation of loyalty and faithfulness. God’s steadfast love involves His commitment to keep all His covenant promises to His people. He promised to be with us. He promised to be our Deliverer. He sent His Son to make a new covenant with us and shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins. God’s love for His children isn’t just an emotion—it’s a commitment to us and to our salvation in Christ.
So whatever you’re struggling with today, even if your very life is threatened, you can praise God for His steadfast love. And if you’re enjoying the good gifts God has given you in this life, keep this perspective in mind—God’s given you something even better. His steadfast love and promises will never fail.
No matter what you face this week, God’s steadfast love is better than anything—even better than life itself.
Share
Today I’m honored to share on the Proverbs 31 Ministries podcast about knowing your role when a friend is suffering. I think often we hesitate to offer support to a friend who’s hurting because we aren’t sure about the best way to serve and support her. We dig into this tough topic today, and I hope it will be helpful to you!
You can listen here or find the Proverbs 31 Ministries podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.
Share
My daughter asked me recently, “What’s been the worst day of your life?” There have been more than one “worst day ever” – those days when we’ve lost a loved one certainly come to mind. Life in this world can be heartbreaking.
Ten years ago today I was living some of those worst days. I woke up on my 34th birthday filled with sadness, stress, and dread. The day before, I’d been diagnosed with a rare cancer called angiosarcoma. We didn’t know yet what the road ahead would look like, and I’m glad I didn’t know everything that was to come. But I did know this good news:
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
These words brought me so much comfort as I walked through the valley of the shadow of death that year. I didn’t know if I’d live to see 35, if my daughter would remember me, if I’d see my sons grow into young men, if my husband would be left to raise our kids alone. But I knew from Romans 8:38-39 that nothing – not even cancer, not even death – could separate us from God’s love.
In these verses, Paul gives us a comprehensive list of all the circumstances and powers that can’t separate us from God’s love. And in case he missed anything, he adds these powerful words: “nor anything else in all creation.” That pretty much covers it, wouldn’t you say?
Notice that Paul doesn’t say “Nothing will separate us,” as if he’s making a prediction about something that could happen but won’t. He says none of these things “will be able to separate us.” God loves us with a rock-solid, certain, steadfast love in Christ Jesus. Something separating God’s children from that love is a complete impossibility. It won’t happen because it can’t happen.
Christ Jesus died and rose again to guarantee this promise: Even on the worst day of your life, nothing in all creation will be able to separate you from God’s love.
No matter what you face this week, nothing will be able to separate you from God’s love.
Share