GOD'S BEAUTIFUL MIRACLES IN FACE OF HARDSHIPS

I wanted to take a little break away from journaling about the experiences with the doctor appointments for a little bit so that I can share what God had put on my heart this morning. 

2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (NIV)

8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Of course, there is no way that any of us can compare our hardships to all that which Paul had gone through in spreading the gospel, but these scriptures do a lot to express how grateful I am to God for all of you as you are praying for me.  I also find myself very grateful for my current hardships.

Don’t get me wrong.  I do not wish for anyone to suffer, and I am the first to run the furthest away from any type of suffering (even just a perceived suffering) that I may receive.  I never believed the popular phrase of the 80’s: “No pain, no gain”.  Although I think the reasons why I don’t “work-out” have more to do with being lazy and hating when I sweat. 

No, what I mean is that with these hardships, I am better able to see the beautiful miracles that God does in my life and in the lives of my loved ones.  I get to witness the Holy Spirit moving as I embrace what God has planned for me.  I get to feel that peace that Paul talked about in Philippians 4, which transcends all understanding.  I also get to watch the Holy Spirit move in other people’s hearts as they embrace God’s plan for each of them.

As I am going through my journey, God has opened my mind and heart more to understanding what the Hebrews’ author wrote in Chapter 12:4-11 (NIV):

4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

He has helped me to totally trust that even in this scary journey with my cancer, I can hold steadfast onto the fact that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to is purpose.”  (Romans 8:28 NIV)

So, praise God for my journey!  Because with it, God is drawing me closer to him and to my loved ones and with this he is transforming us every moment to be more like his son Jesus (Romans 8:29).  To God be the glory.  Amen!

COMMENTS WHEN BLOG WAS FIRST POSTED ON CARING BRIDGE SITE:

Pam Franz: Kim, thank you for this entry. I read it to our family on New Year’s Eve and it was our prayer for the evening. We prayed for your healing and also used your words of hope & Scripture as our mantle for 2023✝️

Vicki Sandiford: Hi, Kim, Thank you for letting us come along side you as you start this journey. You are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, both here and in the spiritual realm. We are here for you, in whatever way is most helpful. You are not alone. You are loved!