This past weekend, my Sunday School class was making a list of God’s promises to us. We brought up the indwelling of God’s Spirit, our individual gifts given by the Spirit, all things working for good, and many others. How good it felt to remember God’s faithfulness to do what he said. The one that stuck out to me, though, was the promise from 1 Corinthians 10:13 — that our trials and temptations are not unique to us, and that God will never give us more than we can bear. Really.
Of course I was encouraged to hear that even this trial of cancer and chemotherapy is not more than I can bear. Although some days that can be hard to believe. But I was more encouraged to know that I am not the only person to be going through this trial. Many have, do, and will know the difficulty of what I am facing. And that this is true of any trial or temptation I face or that you face. We are all in this together.
Jesus tells us to exchange our burdens for his in Matthew 11, but he also wants us to bear one another’s burdens. Paul says in Galatians 6 that in doing so, in helping others through their pain and difficulties, that we are fulfilling the law of Christ. I see this as an important means of grace that Jesus provides so our trials don’t overwhelm us. You all have been serving that function for me – keeping this trial in the realm of something I can bear.
I want to do this for you too, to help you stand up under the difficult circumstances you are facing. And I know you are going through rough times just like the rest of us. A few of you have confided these difficulties to me, only to feel guilty, supposing my trial is bigger or more difficult. Not so. I’ve been through many trials over the years, and each trial I’ve faced is big in the moment. I may compare my own trials among themselves and find one to be easier than I supposed at the time, in hindsight. But comparing my trials to someone else’s never works. They are all trials to be faced, to be born by others, to be relinquished to Jesus so He can give us his own easy burdens.
The past few days have been good and hopeful, both physically and spiritually. I have felt better and have been able to do more activity than I have in months; I have seen God’s hand of grace and provision overwhelm my spirit; and I have had good conversations with friends and family that have lifted my soul. My friend Kelly has been praying the prayer of Peter for me, that grace and peace would be mine in the fullest measure (1 Peter 1:2). God is graciously answering that prayer.
Today, I am sitting in a hospital bed waiting for my fourth (of six) chemotherapy treatment. My mom is here with me, my nurse is both fun and competent, I was able to eat lunch. Yesterday, in preparation for being admitted, I discovered my cancer antigen level which is tested with a blood draw went down even further — it’s now a 10, which is in the range the doctor was looking for.
Though tragedy is happening and the world is at war, in my heart there is peace knowing Jesus is walking with me through this time.
Yes, I always need to hear that others have been where I have been and can give me hope during my trials. The Body is so important in times like this…voices of Truth and sanity and peace in our places of doubt, insanity and fear.
Charity
You are gracious indeed – it is easy to be self focused when we encounter trials but your writings reveal that your eyes have been on your Savior.
Thanks for being an example
Just missing you. And thinking… if you could muse about one thing for a day that had nothing to do with cancer… what would it be? This very question makes me consider how all-consuming it is to have an illness. As always, blessings and love…
I have just lifted you up in prayer, and trust the Lord will replenish your spirit, and heal your body. This blog is enriching and beautiful, for it points the reader ever and always, to the unwavering gaze of our Lord. Blessings and healing to you, my friend!
Jo
Charity,
I wanted to share what “Brooke’s mother” had to say in regards to comments left on my blog, and your blog.
“It truly is a blessing to hear these comments! I also read the postings on the blog from Charity, and what a blessing her testimony is. Also, I can relate from my perspective on some of the things she has walked through as Brooke walked through similar things. Also, it gave me some new insight into some of the struggles Brooke experienced.”
You are helping many in more ways than you could ever know.
Blessings to you, Charity!
Charity,
So good to hear of the Lord’s continued grace in your life. Very true words, and words we all need. You’re on my heart to pray for you. Hopefully this nasty time of chemo will be something dim in your memory someday. But thankfully all these trials will be completely forgotten forever, somehow, in God’s wonder-full grace.
Whenever I visit your site, I am humbled and inspired by how God is working through your illness, as you share your journey and your faith through your blog.
Thank you.
Sandra
Charity..your post just blessed and ministered to me so much today…so much so that I shared it with our church’s prayer chain. I hope you do not mind, but your words were just so powerful….as you are facing such a burden, but yet encouraging others in their own trials. Amazing…is all I can say. My prayers and thoughts are with you….may you feel God surrounding you with His perfect peace and comfort. May we all bear one another’s burdens in this life and encourage one another…
Sending hugs, Michelle Kiger
How does the old hymn go?
HE LIVES
I serve a risen Savior, Hes in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, And just the time I need Him, Hes always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
A-long lifes narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And tho my heart grows weary, I never will despair;
I know that He is leading thro all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
A-long lifes narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
Rejoice, Rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,
None other is so living, so good and kind.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
A-long lifes narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
You post makes me want to sing that today!
Uh oh. It seems I caught the Craver virus. One “hear” is right. And the other should be “here”!
That’s the odd thing about pain. It is real, regardless of how it compares to someone else’s.
It was good to hear your voice hear today. I always like your voice.
Stories. I meant to say “very different stories.”
Charity, I appreciate your gracious spirit. I have a dear friend who ministered this truth to me a couple years ago, and it was a powerful paradigm shift in my world. Each person’s struggle is difficult in their own world; there is no comparison between persons.
Charity, Thanks for your words and perspective. I appreciate them very much. You are in my thoughts and prayers often.
Kim
That middle paragraph is something else. Conflict, pain and chaos can be piled up to a person’s eyeballs, but it may appear to be just as intense for someone else… with different circumstances.
There’s a whole slew of examples I could think of right now from my church’s prayer chain. Very different stores. But it is the same God who supplies all the answers they need. May He continue to be your refuge, fortress and strong tower in the midst of it all.
A fun nurse? That’s so cool.