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Remember God’s Past Faithfulness {No Matter What Monday}

May 30, 2016 by Marissa Leave a Comment

I mentioned last week that it was time for the semi-annual check of my insides to look for cancer recurrence. This experience can be so daunting that there’s a term for the emotions that come with it: scanxiety. As I approached Scan Day, I swung on a pendulum between complete confidence that everything would be fine and dreadful certainty that nothing would be fine.

One tactic I use during scan weeks is to remind myself that, no matter how worked up I get each time, all my other scans have been clear. I am a five-year survivor and, as of last week’s clear scans, I have accumulated a record of 14 rounds of scans showing no evidence of disease. (Praise the Lord with me!) Remembering these past experiences brings some peace when I face uncertainty, but this peace is not a sure foundation. Statistically speaking, the years of good results makes future good results more likely. But there is no guarantee.

When calling to mind past medical success doesn’t completely quiet my soul, I’m thankful there’s something better.

Lamentations 3:21-23 says: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Calling to mind the Lord’s faithfulness and steadfast love brings hope and peace to my worried soul. Remembering His past faithfulness to His people in general and in my life specifically gives me confidence as I face uncertainty and doubts. Because God never changes, His past faithfulness absolutely guarantees His present and future faithfulness to us.

I don’t know that everything will be fine. But I do know the Lord will be faithful. Because He was faithful yesterday, I can confidently depend on Him to be faithful today and expect Him to be faithful tomorrow.

What thoughts of fear and doubt are plaguing your thoughts today? What can you call to mind about the Lord’s faithfulness in your life? How can remembering His past faithfulness give you peace and confidence for your future?

No matter what, we can remember God’s past faithfulness, depend on His present faithfulness, and expect His future faithfulness.

Our Hope is in Our Great God {No Matter What Monday}

May 23, 2016 by Marissa Leave a Comment

For me personally, “No Matter What Monday” was meant for weeks like this.

Later this week, I will walk into the oncology clinic where I spent many hours back in 2010-11. I will have imaging tests of my chest and abdomen, and then I’ll wait to hear whether or not the doctors see evidence of a cancer recurrence.

I wish I could tell you I’m not afraid. I’d love to inspire you with the strength of my faith in God’s plans, whatever they may be.

But the truth is that I’m scared. I struggle to rest in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. This week I’ll come face-to-face with the reality of my medical history, my mortality, and the weakness of my faith.

Maybe this is a big week for you, too. Maybe you’re wrestling with unknowns in your life, unfulfilled longings, or unending struggles. Dear friend, how can we have peace today as we look ahead at a challenging week?

I find comfort in these words from seminary professor and author, Dr. Dale Ralph Davis: “It is not so much great faith in God that is required as faith in a great God” (No Falling Words, p. 122).

Isn’t that freeing? Nothing depends on the greatness of my faith. It all depends on the greatness of God.

The apostle Paul said it this way: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9b).

This is great news when my faith falters. God doesn’t require great faith from us. He brings all the greatness that is required. His goodness never falters or fails. His grace covers all the weakness of our faith.

No matter what, our hope isn’t in our great faith but in our great God.

“When Your Friend Has Cancer” ~ Check out this guest post!

May 2, 2016 by Marissa Leave a Comment

Today I’m thankful for an opportunity to share on my husband’s cousin’s blog. Lisa Lloyd is a writer, actor, speaker, and upcoming author. We are eagerly awaiting the release of her first book! In the meantime, she writes inspiring, heartfelt words on faith, forgiveness and motherhood.

Here’s a preview of my post on her website. Check it out and read some of Lisa’s posts while you’re there!

Five years ago, I was a young mom of three when I first heard the words: “It’s cancer.” I was standing alone in my bedroom, but I wasn’t alone for long.

Within hours, a few family members and friends came over and joined me in my shock and grief. The next day—my 34^th birthday—a larger group of friends gathered for a surprise birthday party full of tearful prayers. And over the coming months, a multitude of supporters sustained our family with love, prayers and service.

My battle against angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer with a grim prognosis, involved months of high-dose chemotherapy, a clinical trial at MD Anderson Cancer Center, radiation, and surgery. I spent 14 weeks away from my family receiving treatment in Houston and fighting to see my children grow up.

Our logistical, emotional and spiritual needs seemed overwhelming. And yet, God met all of our needs, often through our friends’ sacrificial service. My friends loved us so well that I’ve written a book to share my friends’ example with other women and equip them to support their friends with cancer.

I hope that you never need to know how to love a friend through cancer. But it’s likely that at some point, you will. So here are a few tips I learned from my friends about how to support someone with cancer.

Finish reading on Lisa’s blog by clicking here!

Sharing God’s Story ~ Guest post at Over A Cup

March 28, 2016 by Marissa Leave a Comment

“I’ll be a little disappointed if this lump isn’t cancer,” I told my husband after returning home from Bible study in October 2010. In that evening’s lesson on Isaiah 12, our teacher exhorted us to glorify God in front of a watching world by trusting him in the midst of suffering. As I scribbled notes furiously, I couldn’t help thinking of the biopsy I had scheduled for later in the week. My faithful Father was preparing me for the outcome by showing me His purpose in suffering: That His name would be glorified by my dependence on Him and continued praise of His character.

Less than a week later, I received a diagnosis of angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer with a five-year survival rate of 30%. I was a busy mom of three young kids—my boys were 6 and 4, and my baby girl was 18 months old. I had expected to grow old with my husband and see my kids grow into adulthood. And suddenly, I was fighting to see my 35th birthday.

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I’m grateful for the opportunity to share the story of God’s faithfulness in my life at Over A Cup today. Click over there to finish reading!

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