“My life, my every moment, my destiny – it’s all in your hands.” Psalm 31:15 TPT

Speed Bumps

There’s a medical facility that I go to fairly frequently that has something that I don’t particularly like—speed bumps! The speed bumps they have seem like small mountains. I understand the reason and need for them, but theirs seem unusually high. You have to slow down to a stop before going over them.

I seem to encounter speed bumps on our journey too—a “small mountain” that comes into my path that I can’t avoid or ignore. I pretty much have to come to a full stop before I can continue on my way. Everything in my life has to be re-examined in relationship to the new bump in my path.

I hit one of those bumps this past week! I had some medical checkups. I am feeling good. I look good. Except for the “winter bugs,” I’m healthy and have had no symptoms of cancer problems. I was expecting to get an “all clear,” good news type of report. But, instead, I was told that there is a new tumor. This is the third return of this awful disease, the fourth time now that I’m battling it. Needless to say, it was disheartening. My heart felt bruised from the impact.

I received the news at the end of an exhausting week of medical and therapy appointments. I know that things hit harder when I’m tired. I took the weekend to talk to the Lord about it all. I wanted to keep hope alive in my heart, but I found that I had to keep stepping over disappointment and weariness to get to that hope. I realized I wasn’t just tired from the week—I was tired from the five-plus years of the cancer battle. I knew I needed to strengthen myself in the Lord.

I reminded myself that I’m alive! That is very important, and somewhat unexpected according to my doctors. It’s definitely an answer to prayer. The Lord brought this scripture to my attention: Luke 18:1. “Jesus taught the apostles to keep praying and never stop or lose hope.” I chose to keep praying and keep hoping. As I did that, the heaviness began to lift. My heart settled with a gentle peace.

I heard Bill Johnson say, “Our darkest situation is a table of fellowship.” I so believe that. I’ve experienced it over and over again. And I had the opportunity this past weekend for a new, fresh, deeper level of fellowship with the Lord as I processed the news I received. I’m so grateful for that precious intimacy with Him.

The specialist I’m going to looked at every option for the way forward. I had also been praying about what to do. Quite amazingly, we both came up with the same conclusion. If you’ve had to deal with doctors very much you’d know that this is somewhat of a miracle! I am going to continue with the treatment I’m on, but take it up a notch in strength. We’ll test again in three months.

I would appreciate your prayers for wisdom, grace, peace, and healing! Pray, too, that my body will adjust to the impact of the increased strength of the treatment.

This bump in the road has pushed me closer into the heart of God.

“Father, my trust and hope are in You. I know You don’t slumber, and I ask You to ‘not let my foot be moved’ from walking close by Your side holding Your hand. Amen.”