How do you keep hanging on?

Betsy writes (as she finishes chemo and looks forward to a month of radiation treatment): I can see a large hill between me and the end of 2008. My great hope is a promise God made me that " I will finish well." I am hoping that what He meant by this is that we will discover in January that the cancer is licked and that the path to healing and restoration will be unhindered. Is my hope mis-guided? I hope not. One thing I know for certain: He is faithful and keeps all His promises, even when we don't understand it all, and even when we don't get it all right. He does! He is good all the time and His unfailing love lasts forever! This truth about the nature of God has become a cornerstone for my faith. Even when everything around us is unsteady, God does not change. If He is completely good and loves us with unfailing love, then that means that He is willing and able to meet us in the smallest and the biggest needs we have. So the journey of faith continues... and I have to say, I'm glad it does!

How do we hang on through tremendously difficult circumstances? We put our trust in the truth found in Scripture about the character and the nature of God.

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Eyes on our Destination

Please pray for Betsy as she's battling with cancer. She writes: It's not too late for the miracle, but I Pet 5:10, which the Lord high-lighted for me this week, kinda leads me to believe that it's going to be a journey through chemo, rather than around it.

The only reason I can figure out is to encourage someone else. Jesus left glory, learned obedience through what He suffered, paid the ultimate price ( not even for His own well-being, but for ours). Actually if you'd like to take the route He took me through in my quiet time this morning, here it is: Ps 27:13,14; all of Ps.31; I Pet 4;12,19; I Pet5:6,7,10; Is 43:1-3a

If you come across other Scriptures or if you get an encouraging word from the Lord, I'd love to hear it.

My friend, and many of yours,Vikki, described to me what a kayak-er does as she comes upon white-water and rapids. She back-paddles for a few moments at the top of the rapids, scoping out the safest route through the course and the destination she wants to reach. She explained that if you keep your eyes on the white water, the eddies, the rocks, namely, the thing you fear, you'll go there every time. If you keep your eyes on your destination, you'll go there every time.

This graphic visual has been helping me take captive fearful thoughts. I know they won't help me if I think too long about them. Fear takes on a life of its own, and I usually lose if I let worries and fears go un-checked. Instead as I keep my eyes on Jesus, on the promises, on future good health and peaceful waters, I am able to stay calm and hopeful. Jesus did this too. Heb 12 tells us He endured the Cross, despising the shame, all because of the joy set before Him ( that would be us and Heaven and fellowship again with His Father ). So I'm copying Him! Or at least trying!

Thanks so much for being on the journey with me. It is strengthening to me in a very real way to know I'm not on this path alone.

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