I had surgery to remove two skin cancers the other day, and although it was a painful day, it went well. The doctor told me he thinks he got it all and aside from some soreness and stitches in my back and forehead, I should be fine. That is the good news; the bad news is that he extended my chemo treatment another week. This treatment is driving me bonkers as I have constant headaches and it itches and burns like crazy and I have lesions covering both of my arms. The doctor told me that since I seemed to be “tolerating” it so well, he thought I should continue treatment for an additional week and that would be “very good”.
“Huh? Tolerating it so well, didn’t you hear me vehemently complaining about all of the side effects that I have been experiencing? According to the information that I have researched on the Internet, I have experienced “every” side effect that is associated with this medicine. What do you mean it would be, Very good’ if I took it for another week?” He smiled and said, “It really doesn’t look that bad comparatively speaking.” I briefly wondered, “Comparatively speaking”, how my fist would look smashing that little smile off his face, but decided that it was inevitable that I must play along with his exorcism ritual.
Sigh I do get the drift of what he means and know that if I want to avoid even more pain in the future I must endure some pain now. No pain no gain, better to treat it now than later when it gets more serious. Hmmm Chemo-therapy with all of its side effects is far better to go through than full blown cancer. The same holds true for surgery. He was helping me by hurting me
In the last year or so I have really come to terms with that difficult passage in the Bible whereby the Apostle James tells us that we should “count it all joy” when we endure trials and tribulations. Huh? It is paradoxical in every sense of the word but when you think it through, it really does make sense.
I have endured so much tragedy in my life, (more than I thought I could ever bear), that it is hard to even think about some of it, much less describe the pain to someone else. Now that I am several years down the trail and time has worked its magic to a degree, when I or someone that I know faces a tough trial, I can call upon those experiences to help me to better cope and deal with those times of trouble than if I had never gone through those terrible tragedies. Those trials and tribulations prepared me to deal with the harsh realities of this world. Trials and tribulations build character, patience and perseverance, which enable us to endure and to help others to endure and withstand the sorrows that will come in this world in what the Bible refers to as our “days of trouble”.
Often God gets angrily “slammed’ when trouble comes. Hurt people lash out at God and curse Him for allowing bad things to happen especially to “good people”. Listen there is nothing wrong at getting angry, but be sure and be angry at the right person. Satan is the one who fathered sin and brought it into our perfect world and he is the one to whom our anger should be directed. God is standing by to assist the wounded and heal their broken lives. He is on our side; satan is trying his utmost to destroy us and everything good that he can. Sin devastates the world and its climax is death. Jesus conquered sin and death; however we must endure for a while. To be sure there will be some pain, but then only gain for those who follow Jesus Christ.
Cling to your faith when enduring trials. God offers peace that surpasses human understanding even when in the fire. Faith draws Him to our sides and is really the only way to survive. The Bible states that Jesus stands at the door and knocks and awaits our invitation to come into our hearts. Ask Him to come into your heart today and allow the Great Physician to heal your wounds. I can personally attest that he will do just that and trust me “I have been there and done that” in the enduring pain department.
James 1:2
My brethren, count it all joy
when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your
faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect
work, that you may be perfect and
complete lacking nothing.
July 3, 2014 – Click here to listen