Breast Cancer Survivor

QUESTION: Breast Cancer Survivor - Where is the peace?

ANSWER:

I asked Joanne, "Where is the peace?" Joanne is a breast cancer survivor. I call her a survivor because she underwent vigorous medical treatments to remove a disease that threatened her very life and has come through on top.

She said, "I just knew Jesus would be with me no matter how sick I was."

Joanne had been a divorced working mom for twelve years. A Christian man came into her life and they had a beautiful wedding. Everything was perfect until. . .

Having a man move into an all girl environment is a big adjustment on all sides. There are new rules, emotions, and issues. Things were escalating so much that their eyes were taken off their union and placed upon their own likes, dislikes, and demands.

Then the breast cancer was discovered. Immediately the family had to re-focus upon a desperate need that was very frightening to their relationships. Joanne said, "I feel that God allowed this to happen to make us realize we were not focused on Him, but on the things and emotions of this world."

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Joanne knew that she loved God and that her marriage would be blessed by God.

Early in the diagnosis of the breast cancer, Joanne learned that peace is where God is. The Word of God strengthened Joanne in the 32 days of radiation, three times a day. She would just repeat at every dose a Bible verse that meant a lot to her. Jeremiah 30:7 says, "'But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the Lord. . ."

She also found comfort in Isaiah 58:8: "Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard." She knew as long as she was moving in the direction of God, He would sustain and bring her through as a breast cancer survivor.

She also knew this wouldn't be permanent. In Ecclesiastes 3:1 it says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." This was a season of breast cancer and seasons end. There will be different seasons ahead, but through it all God is there.

Now Joanne is cancer free. Any concerns she has of a recurrence of the cancer are nullified by the fact that life is more important. Where is the peace? Joanne believed, therefore she has received peace from God.