So many friends have expressed caring, love, and prayers since the word went out about Joni’s cancer. We are touched and blessed by your prayers and encouragement. James told us to “consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
That is a pretty tall order isn’t it? But as I look over my life I realize that every time of real growth was watered by adversity. Job endured a more severe test that most of us can even fathom. Not once through all of his overwhelming trials did Job sin. He said nothing against God. At one point Job’s wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity? In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” I am convinced that Job had decided in advance that his God was trustworthy so he was able to choose to trust Him. He most assuredly did not operate from feelings. He chose to honor God and accept the adversity. We choose to do the same.
I have decided two things. First of all, that I am grateful that my bride is not like Job’s bride. And second, that Joni and I will make this song from Casting Crowns our theme song for the next few months.
I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
Thank you for your prayers and support. We are humbled by your response.
Pingback: Facing Cancer | Confessions of a Bad Christian
Patricia
At our small group, somebody played that exact song that you relayed to us as your theme song for getting through the tough times. Maybe I should get that song sometime, and I hope it plays on the radio. Your teachings have been God-breathed and inspire me very much. Although my pastor is good, I think you would be even better. I will be praying for you and your wife as you go through this trial.
Mel Stripling
Your family wil be in my prayers. If you need any info or resource help please contact my wife, jenny.stripling@cancer.org, and she will get it for you. She is the state associate VP here in TN for the ACS. Your book is blessing our lives and the lives of those in our Life Group. I thank you. Blessings.
Tami
Dave,
Of course, we are praying for you and your wife here at WBFJ. You might be interested to know that the song you mentioned in this post was inspired by the incredible faith and strength of the mother of a little girl named Erin, from Thomasville, NC. If you’d like to know more about her story, visit her website:
http://www.prayforerin.com
Blessings Galore!
Tami
Tina Comstock
The past months I have been reading your blogs, you have encouraged and challenged my thinking. You are truly an amazing teacher. You teach life. You, your wife, and family will be in my prayers. To accept God’s will whether for good or bad circumstances. . . I wish I saw things the same for my struggles, though none compare with what you have been through with your daughter, and now your wife. I love you with the love of Christ, and I thank God for you.