Sickness and My Attitude

“When Jesus heard that, He said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” ~ John 11:4

The sermon on Sunday morning was about the story of Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus who got sick and died, and how Jesus raised him from the dead. The above verse really made me think about how I view sickness and death. Physical sickness, whether it’s cancer or anything else, is just part of life. There are things I can do to try to be “healthy” physically, but I can’t change my genes. I could do everything right from a health standpoint and still get breast cancer. Or some other disease. What I’m realizing is that getting sick just happens sometimes. The important thing is how I view it.

Lately, I’ve been wondering why Mom had to get breast cancer. Why her? Why right now? I can’t answer any of that unfortunately, and I guess the answers aren’t that important anyway. It’s here, and we will deal with it. I’m trying really hard to keep the right attitude about it, and some days I do better than others. I am trying to look at this as an opportunity instead of a difficulty. It’s an opportunity for my family to grow closer. It’s an opportunity for us to set a good example for other people going through similar situations. And, ultimately it’s an opportunity for God to be glorified if we handle this the right way.

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” ~ John 11:25-26
If we live and believe in Christ, we will never spiritually die. And that is the most important thing. Physical sickness and death shouldn’t be something to fear.

I’m not saying that I’ve given up hope that Mom will beat this. In fact, she has gotten a really good prognosis for having such an aggressive type of breast cancer. It seems like they caught it pretty early, and I’m really thankful for that. It’s hard to be a by-stander throughout the whole process though. I’m not her doctor. I’m not even living in the same town anymore.  I wish I could be there to go with her to her appointments and just to be there every day in person. But, I can’t just pack up and move home for the rest of the year (Travis would starve..haha!). I guess I’m really not even a by-stander when I pray. I know a lot of people have been praying for Mom, and God hears us. We’ll just have to wait for the answer.

Mom met with her oncologist on Monday and found out the tentative schedule for her chemo treatments. She is getting a port put in next Monday the 15th, and chemo starts the following Monday (August 22nd). She will have chemo every other week for 8 weeks (4 treatments), and then every 3 weeks for 12 weeks (4 treatments). So, it is 8 total treatments. If it stays on schedule, she will be finished just before Christmas…yay! Then, she will have about 5-7 weeks of radiation (which will be every day Monday through Friday). Hopefully, she will be completely finished and cancer free by about March of next year! We will have to have a big celebration when she’s finished! :)

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

We can do it! Please keep your prayers coming!