STEADFASTNESS 

At one point in my small Bible Study group, cancer was rearing its ugly head in the lives of three of our members. Considering our group consists of seven women, the sheer number attacked by this unforgiving plague was overwhelming and astonishing.

Though fiercely attacked by this demon, Jim, the husband of one of our members, emanated individual faith and spiritual integrity that was awesome. Together with his wife’s own strength and unyielding belief and trust in God, they presented a formidable front while exemplifying stability, grace, and excellence.

I was humbled as I observed these two people traverse the hills and valleys that dotted the landscape of this arduous journey. Confronted with pain, sleepless nights, extreme nausea, and dehydration, Jim’s priority was to spend hours studying and preparing his lesson for the weekly Sunday School class he continued to teach. Mornings were Jim’s most difficult, and he’d be very ill before his class. Through gentle reassurance and motivation, his wife, Beth, would encourage him to continue teaching, and God would give him the strength to follow through. By the time his class convened, Jim would not show any sign of illness and would teach for 90 minutes, only to return home afterward and immediately go to bed. What a remarkable testament to God being our strength when we are weak.

Beth was not so consumed with her own frustration and anguish that she didn’t find time to ensure that her friends and family were well and actually looked for occasions to bless others with gifts, hospitality, or compassion.

I told myself these two stalwart representatives of Christ were giving me a gift of immeasurable value. Their strength and resolve were incalculable lessons. Their testament of faith and unbreakable allegiance to God was captivating… and such powerful evidence of His hand on their lives.

Bridge (After the Storm)

None of us can predict the result of a long-term illness. We join our Christian brothers and sisters in saying we believe in miracles, hold fast to the power of healing, and trust that God is working through the knowledge, hands, and hearts of our physicians and surgeons and that the medicines that are prescribed will somehow miraculously aim fire-y darts at the enemy cells and defiant germs.

But, let’s face it. In our quietest moments when we consider the illness that permeates our body or the body of a dear friend or relative, are we more inclined to have faith that God has authority over the situation, or do we, by human nature, give in to the perception that the illness or disease is in control?

After what I’ve learned from my pastors, the Bible, and God’s promises, I should know exactly how to answer that; but I must admit that my faith falters at times. Even after hearing a positive Bible-based message that leaves me spirit-filled, my thoughts may point to a negative experience, and I’ll realize faith is not my default.

The two people referenced in the previous synopsis showed me again and again that they relied on God’s word first and foremost and rarely allowed any negative thoughts or Satan’s conspiracies to erode their resolve.

Blesson

Each one of us has been inherently blessed with the fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, Galatians 5:22-23). But fruit doesn’t materialize in its ripened state; it begins as a seed. And seedlings need to be developed in a dark place, slowly growing roots that will provide the firm foundation for the vine or tree from which the fully ripened fruit will be harvested.

Just so, the fruits of the Holy Spirit are developed in us. Each begins as a seed that requires those dark, depressing places to form into a root that will provide a strong underpinning for the fruits of love, joy, peace, etc. This process must frequently be repeated because some of these seeds take longer to progress than others. However, once fully developed, when assaulted by the pestilence and attacks that the enemy casts in our direction, these fruits will have built up an impenetrable surface.

Surprisingly, something so difficult…so grueling…so unforgiving as serious illness can generate spiritual growth in our lives. But it is in those times when we really lean on God, remember when we have received His goodness and blessings, and rely on the promises He delivered through His Son. As Jim and Beth proved over and over through their strength and shining example, God was and always will be the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path (Ps. 119:105 KJV)

Substance

1 He who takes refuge in the shelter of the Most High will be safe in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 He will say to the Eternal, “My shelter, my mighty fortress, my God, I place all my trust in You.”
3 For He will rescue you from the snares set by your enemies who entrap you and from deadly plagues.
4 Like a bird protecting its young, God will cover you with His feathers, will protect you under His great wings; His faithfulness will form a shield around you, a rock-solid wall to protect you. (Ps. 91: 1-4 The Voice)

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (2 Peter, 1:3-8 New International Version)