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.
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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.
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Today I’m sharing a devotional from the book of Revelation for Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Encouragement for Today devotions. Here’s a preview . . .
“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.’” Revelation 1:17-18 (ESV)
I still remember where I was when the question came. We had just started the drive to school when one of my young carpool passengers piped up from the back seat and asked, “Miss Marissa, how old will you be when Christopher graduates from high school?”
Fighting back tears, I struggled to figure out the answer to her question. I had recently finished treatment for a rare cancer called angiosarcoma. I was begging the Lord for another year or two but didn’t dare let myself think about attending my second-grader’s graduation.
We find many reasons for fear in this life, and death is often at the top of the list.
Whether it’s cancer or a contagious new virus, reminders of our mortality can shake our security and peace. Christ’s promise of eternal life soothes our doubts about eternity, but we might fear the process of dying or dread the loss of our loved ones.
In the book of Revelation, God gives us hope as we face all our fears. He pulls back the curtain of heaven to show us the present reality of Christ’s reign and the future consummation of His triumph over the grave. Turning our eyes to victorious Jesus gives us hope and comfort in the face of death.
To finish reading the devotional, head over to the Proverbs 31 website. I hope you’re encouraged to live fearless no matter what you’re facing today!
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I had the honor of chatting with Heather from the Don’t Mom Alone podcast recently about how we can support a friend with cancer. We covered how to not say the wrong thing, how to avoid burnout when caring for your friend, how to go the extra mile when taking a meal, and so much more. I hope you’ll check it out here!
While you’re there, check out some of the fantastic guests Heather has had on the show. Her podcast has been such an encouragement to me as I seek to glorify God with my parenting!
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