suffering Archives - Page 20 of 26

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!

The Steadfast Anchor for our Soul {No Matter What Monday}

April 11, 2016 by Marissa Leave a Comment

What is your anchor? When the storms come and the wind throws your small boat up into the air, what keeps it from being tossed so far that it’s destroyed by the waves?

When the waves threaten, we need an anchor. Anchors are strong. Anchors are immovable. Anchors provide stability when life around us is turbulent.

In Hebrews 6:19, we are given a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul: “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor . . . ”

What is this anchor? If we at the context of the chapter, we see this anchor is the unchanging character of God’s promises. Theses promises are sure and steadfast because of the character of the One who makes them: His unwavering faithfulness.

What else in your life is unchanging? What else can you cling to that will never fail or waver? I haven’t found anything in my life that is more steadfast than the promises of my Heavenly Father.

Our Creator, Redeemer and Lord beckons us to find refuge in Him. He makes these promises and guarantees them with an oath to show us the “unchangeable character of his purpose,” so that “we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us” (verses 17-18).

Are your circumstances tossing you haphazardly? Does life feel chaotic or out of control? Find refuge in the Lord. Let his arms wrap around your rocking boat as he lowers the anchor of his steadfast promises.

Because the Lord is holding fast to you, you can hold fast to the hope set before you and face the storm ahead.

A Prayer for the Weary Soul

April 8, 2016 by Marissa Leave a Comment

Do you ever struggle to pray?

Do you wonder if God is listening?

Do you worry that your faith is too weak or your doubt is too strong?

Do you wonder if you are even welcome to come before Him with your pleas for mercy, healing, comfort or strength?

If so, this is a prayer for you.

“Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul” is one of my favorite hymns. The words were written by Anne Steele centuries ago. She knew the pain of suffering. She endured loss, serious health issues, singleness, and hardship. (You can read more about her here.) In these words, we get a glimpse into her struggle to place her hope in Christ.

Dear refuge of my weary soul,

On Thee, when sorrows rise

On Thee, when waves of trouble roll,

My fainting hope relies . . .

Waves of trouble, a fainting hope–does that sound familiar to you? It does to me.

But oh! When gloomy doubts prevail,

I fear to call Thee mine

The springs of comfort seem to fail,

And all my hopes decline . . .

And then comes the internal struggle. Doubt and fear creep in. Finding hope and comfort in the Lord doesn’t seem to be working!

Yet gracious God, where shall I flee?

Thou art my only trust

And still my soul would cleave to Thee

Though prostrate in the dust

And yet, where else should we turn? Who else do we have besides the Lord? We know He is the only secure place for our hope and trust, and so even in our pain, we cling to Him.

Hast Thou not bid me seek Thy face,

And shall I seek in vain?

And can the ear of sovereign grace,

Be deaf when I complain?

This is my favorite line: Can the ear of sovereign grace be deaf when I complain? We take our sorrows to Him, and in His grace, He promises to hear our pleas for comfort. We know for certain that He cannot turn us away.

Thy mercy seat is open still,

Here let my soul retreat

With humble hope attend Thy will,

And wait beneath Thy feet.

I love this beautiful picture of a weary soul finding rest at the mercy seat of God. Often struggle, fear and doubt come before rest. But in the end, the place for our hurting soul is at the feet of Jesus.

Have a listen to this version by Indelible Grace. I hope it refreshes your soul as it does mine.

(If you don’t have Spotify, you can listen to the entire song here.)

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