March 27, 2018
You Can Do This
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13, NKJV)
Friend to Friend
You can do this.
Sometimes we just need to be reminded. I know I do.
That day was a whopper. I rose early, worked hard, was intentional, and still felt unproductive. Been there? On top of that, we’d gotten a heavy heap of unwanted news yesterday afternoon. My dad had an aggressive form of cancer.
I couldn’t believe it.
He had been through so much. To explain the details would take a whole book. All I can say is that when it came to the distribution of health challenges, my dad had an unequally large share.
We’d found out that his ear was riddled with the c-stuff and that he would be losing it. But we thought he’d just lose an ear and thought that dad’s biggest challenge following surgery would be figuring out how to hold eyeglasses on his head.
The results of his full body scan indicated otherwise. And so did his surgery.
The presence of disease was more invasive than what the doctors originally believed, so the initial ENT removed himself from the case explaining that the scope of dad’s surgical needs were beyond his abilities. Great. Then they met with a specialist to see if surgery was even possible and to mapped out a treatment plan.
Far from Pittsburgh, I shared the pain and prayed along with my family.
As I prayed God changed me.
My heart still ached, but a peace held me. His peace. Him. Jesus, my Prince of Peace. And as He held me I remembered to exhale. To breathe deeply of His hope.
I remembered that our days are known and numbered by a loving God who has a plan for each of us. I remembered that I am not alone in this and that my Lord knows the agony of suffering. I remembered that though earthly diseases are completely rank, that God is still good and His strength is made perfect in my weakness… that His grace is sufficient.
My family and I got through it. Dad got through it. Mom got through it. We all did. Not on our own, but with God. And though the outcome was fierce and the quality of my father’s life diminished after his surgery and eventual passing, life went on for both him and us, because we know Life. The source of life. The way, and the truth, and the life.
We know Jesus, so everything is possible. In life and in death.
No. This truth didn’t change the challenge.
It changed me. It changed all of us.
It changed how I face challenges today. Because if I’m really taking faith seriously. If I am really telling the Lord that I want everything He has for me, and am asking Him to be glorified in my life, then I have to want everything He allows to pass through His hands and into my life.
I have decided.
I’ve drawn a line in the sand of my life.
I want everything He has for me. The good and the bad.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.(Philippians 4:13) It’s not just a familiar Bible verse that can be found on a T-shirt, bookmark, or bumper sticker it is a truth that I can cling to. It is a tested truth. And it’s one you can cling to too.
We can do nothing of eternal value without Jesus, but anything and everything with Him.
Let’s Pray
Lord, I ask that You would receive the maximum amount of glory in and through my life. Drench me in the power of Your presence and wring me out so that others might be drawn to You. Keep my eyes open to opportunities to build others up in faith and keep my heart firmly rooted in Your love so that I will always be prepared to give an answer for the reason of my Hope.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
What is your prayer today? Be specific. Journal about it… or swing by my blog or Facebook page and share it as a comment. {I love hearing from you!}
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Originally published Tuesday, 27 March 2018.
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