After visiting the beaches in
Normandy, France, where allied troops landed on "D" day to begin the invasion
that would serve as the first steps towards bringing WWII to a close, I began to
think about how hard it must have been to have stayed behind while your loved
one left for war. The last precious moments with that person would be savored
for years to come!
At the same time, dread and anxiety might have become
our constant companions, for in times of war, no news isn't always good news,
and no matter what we do, we would continually be wondering what our loved one
is possibly facing! Time would become our enemy, and the longer the war lasted,
the harder it would be to maintain hope.
The same is true when a loved one rages war against
cancer, or any other serious disease for that matter. Uncertainty would reign.
Has it spread? When will the "dreaded" surgery be? Will he/she need radiation
therapy? Chemo therapy? Even the wait during the actual surgical procedure can
be tense, especially if it lasts longer than anticipated.
This kind of war will always bring uncertainty. It has
the ability to shake us to the core. The only one who will revel in such news is
the evil one himself, and we can be assured that he will try to torture us to
the maximum, doing whatever is possible to shake our faith in the One who
constantly stands by us amidst any of our circumstances. Doubt, discouragement
and anxiety will be his weapons of choice.
But wait, does it have to be it that way?
Not at all! We have a tendency to forget the good news
that Jesus promised us: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may
have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome
the world." (John 16:33 NIV).
Jesus has overcome the evil one! We don't have to
listen the discouraging oratory and doubt-filled rhetoric of the devil!
It's so important that we recognize these discouraging
thoughts as being weapons of the enemy. Then we can say "no" to them, and "yes"
to the promises of God. Who do we prefer to trust?
As my wife currently faces cancer, I have taken the
promise God gave me as my banner. I stand on it, I believe, and I meditate on it
daily. He is faithful!
And what was this promise He gave me? "And the God of
all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have
suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and
steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5:10-11 NIV)
Do we need to be afraid? No way!
Should we let doubt infiltrate our thoughts? No way!
Should we ever give up hope? No way!
Instead let us "take heart! [Jesus has] overcome the
world"! We have nothing to lose! With Jesus at our side, we can face anything! I
mean anything! He is victorious!
If He can do that for me, a worrier by nature, He will
do the same for you. He is our hope!
Who do we prefer to trust?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.