In April of 2017 I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
And, over these past 20 months, the Lord has performed a miracle in my life. No, the cancer has not gone away — my most recent chemo infusion was yesterday.
The miracle is that, all this time, the Lord has kept me in a state of peace and thankfulness. I consider this a miracle because I’m not usually a calm person, especially when it comes to health issues involving me or my family. Nausea, from a child, has been my worse fear.
But, once in a great while, like the two days this week before chemo, I went into a dark place. Couldn’t pray, bitterness creeping in, depressed. I was sure no one loved me or cared. Such lies passed through my brain!
Then on Wednesday, as Harvey was driving me to the infusion center, a Bible verse just popped into my mind.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7b
That’s exactly what I was NOT doing those past two days — resisting the devil. Instead, I was listening to him.
And at the same time that Bible verse popped in, the Lord made me able to hear it and obey. Prayer flowed and the depression and bitterness dissolved.
Thank you Lord.
But why did this even have to happen? I can tell you why. The Lord used this little episode to draw me closer to Him, and to give me an experience to remember if/when a similar thing happens in the future. I will remember “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Here are some messages from John MacArthur which have helped me.
Spiritual Stability, Part 5: Godly Thinking, Part A
Spiritual Stability, Part 5: Godly Thinking, Part B
So in the meantime, we go on living. If the Lord puts in you a mind to pray for me, here is what I need: that I would continue to have confidence in a sovereign God and to abide in Christ, doing all things pleasing to Him, even to the end.
Eric narrating to me The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Believe it or not, I’ve never read this book.
#1 son Nate drove all the way from Oregon to attend the adoption party for Avery Shaun (now West) — son of Ava Shawnnah and Dan West
Harvey and Shepherd — Aaron and Helena Auberg’s youngest
Me and Shepherd and Ezra (Johannah and Adam Stanford’s youngest)
Me and Avery Shaun West
I will be keeping you in my prayers, as you have requested. God’s grace, peace and strength abide in you. IIIJn2
Thank you for sharing this, Laurie. Love it when God shows Himself SO strong in our weaknesses.
I think of you often. Love and prayers, Sage
Praying for your Laurie!! Keep your eyes on the Lord and keep renewing your mind with his promises for you.
I have been, and will continue to pray for you. Your walk through this has been, believe it or not an inspiration to me and I’m sure to others.
Numbers 6:24-26.
May the Lord continue to grant you peace, wisdom, and joy! You are such a blessing to me. If pleasing in His sight, may He also grant you healing and many more years with those grandbabies! Thank you for the update; praying for you.
Thank you, Laurie, so much for sharing this with us. It is faith-building for me to hear of the Lord’s kindness in this. I will continue in prayer for you. A verse that has become dear to me:
Isa. 41:13 – “For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, Fear not, I will help you.”
Laurie,
I pop in here a couple times a year to read your wisdom. This morning the Lord brought you to my mind clear as day and I came here to your blog and saw your latest post and your request to pray. I have prayed for you and will continue to do so. The Lord is actively mobilizing even people you don’t know to pray for you! I am always astounded at how very personal Jesus is….but why should I be?? Bless you Laurie. All the grace, peace, comfort and healing I can pray for, be yours ❤️
I just love you so much.
Hi Laurie
I just thought you might be surprised that a wee lassie here in Scotland is praying fir yi.(for you!)
So lassie yi hang in there an God will dae whit He is good at doing…taking care of yi. Your a bright wee spark and yi answered my prayers wi this homeschooling business..and I love yi like ma wee Mama..I often think o yi and I pray in the Name of Jesus that God heals yi and takes care o yir situation.
God Bless Laurie
Leanne x