Marissa Henley

Encouraging weary women to hope in Christ alone

Thanksgiving in All Things {Guest post for enCourage}

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This week I’m sharing over on the enCourage blog. Here’s a preview . . .

On the night before Thanksgiving 2010, I laid next to my sleeping husband and wondered if he’d wake to find that I’d died during the night. My fear may have been exaggerated, but it wasn’t completely unreasonable. My fever was over 102, and the number of white blood cells available to fight infection in my body was dangerously close to the number of hairs on my head: zero.

One month earlier, I’d been diagnosed with angiosarcoma. This rare, aggressive cancer threatened my hopes to celebrate my 35th birthday, see my three small children grow up, and reach milestone anniversaries with my husband. I was fighting for more Thanksgivings and determined to enjoy this one to the fullest. But it was hard to be thankful.

From the world’s perspective, I didn’t have much to be thankful for. I was stricken with a terrible cancer and facing months of difficult treatment. I was bald, sick, fatigued, and scared. And yet, the truth of God’s Word challenged my thinking: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Give Thanks in All Circumstances

Some days, I didn’t feel like rejoicing. Chemo made my mind too foggy to pray. I struggled to find reasons to give thanks.

With great relief, I noticed the Scripture doesn’t say, “Give thanks for all circumstances.” God didn’t ask me to give thanks for cancer—in fact, I believe He hates cancer, along with all the effects of this sin-plagued, fallen world. Instead, He called me to give thanks in all circumstances, and He’s graciously teaching me to do so.

Maybe giving thanks is a challenge for you right now. I’ve been there, and I’m sorry for your pain. When our life is a mess, our future uncertain, or our hearts broken, how can we give thanks in those circumstances?

To read more, head over to enCourage to read the rest of the post. While you’re there, I hope you’ll check out their great blog posts and podcast episodes for more encouragement in your walk with Christ!

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God Knows {Guest interview}

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I recently chatted with Nicole O’Meara about Loving Your Friend through Cancer for her blog, and I’d love for you to check out our interview! I share extensively about my experience with cancer and how to support a friend who’s walking through illness. I hope it encourages you as you walk alongside those who are suffering.

Head to Nicole’s blog to read more!

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Our Safe Dwelling Place {First 5}

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Today I’m sharing over at Proverbs 31 Ministries’ First 5 app. Here’s a preview . . .

Isaiah 33:5 (ESV) “The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness.”

In one of my recurring nightmares, a band of criminals is breaking into my home. I rush from one window to another, trying to lock them all out, but the bad guys are coming from all directions. I can’t keep them out.

Has your life ever felt that way? Maybe you’re under attack from temptation or suffering. You’re exhausted from the unrelenting chaos of your calendar or the burden of people’s expectations. Just when you think you’ve made progress, another opponent comes at you.

This was the scene in Jerusalem as the Assyrian army came right up to the city walls and mocked the people and their God. (Isaiah 36:1-20) God knew this threat would come. So in Isaiah 33, God speaks words of comfort to His people as they face their enemies.

The inhabitants of Jerusalem (also called Zion) worried that Zion would become a dwelling place for the Assyrians. God tells the people they don’t need to fear because the exalted King promises to dwell with them.

To read the rest of the teaching, head over to First 5. And while you’re there, be sure to download the First 5 app so you can follow along through the rest our study of Isaiah with the First 5 team!

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Writing When You’re Suffering {COMPEL blog}

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I’m sharing today on the COMPEL training blog. I’ve been a member of COMPEL training for Christian writers for several years. It’s been instrumental in my growth and development as a writer, and if you’re interested in writing, I highly recommend it! It’s an honor to be able to share with the COMPEL readers today about writing during times of suffering.

When I approach a writing task, I mentally sort it into one of two categories: coffee shop writing or kitchen table writing. Coffee shop writing can be done despite a few distractions and without the need for tissues. I save kitchen table writing for the privacy of home because an emotional breakdown might result.

As a cancer survivor, I often write about the diagnosis that came one day before my 34th birthday and my desperate prayers to live long enough for my youngest child to remember me. Nine years later, sometimes these topics need to be written about with a box of Kleenex nearby.

Our painful life experiences often form the foundation of our writing ministry. Maybe today you’re writing in the middle of a difficult situation, illness or loss. When you walk through a weary season, what does that mean for your writing? Here are some thoughts to consider.

To read more, head over to the COMPEL blog.

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