It has been 15 months now since I was diagnosed with cancer last year.
During this time I have learned many things and although I am not anywhere near being "full of great wisdom" I just wanted to share some things that have helped me along the way in hopes that it could benefit you in some way as well.
First of all, I would like to speak to those who may be reading this while going through cancer.
My words to you are: YOU CAN MAKE IT! Never, never NEVER give up. I know the days are horrible, the nights are like something out of a nightmare but God said you are MORE than a conqueror!
Lean not unto your own understanding but TRUST in the Lord with ALL of your heart.
I know you've probably heard it all. When I was going through cancer I had countless people come to me with the latest miracle cure or the best medical advice they could give. Although they meant well, it became tiring and taxing having everyone I knew suddenly become a self proclaimed doctor trying to diagnose and treat me.
I'll admit, even those who came just to offer encouragement through prayer or the Word of God sometimes incurred my annoyance. When you are facing a life threatening illness it's hard to keep faith. You wonder why God would allow this to happen to you. You wonder why healing hasn't come yet and yes, you even wonder if God has forgotten you.
One Scripture (among many) that was a great comfort to me through the darkest days was Isaiah 46:16 and it simply reads, "Behold, I have graven you upon the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me." I understand that when this passage was written Jesus was speaking of the walls of Jerusalem but many times the Scriptures have several different parallels or applications that can be applied to us as well.
When I read this Scripture I had an image of the palms of Jesus, the nail scarred hands of my Savior and I could imagine that when He saw those scars, He remembered the daughter that He died for to save. He remembered the stripes that were laid on His back for my healing and He was just saying to me, "when I see my hands and those scars on my hands I remember you. Your life is continually before me and I care about what you're going through."
After going through cancer I learned to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. To enjoy walking my dog, breathing the clean, outside air, being able to ride bicycles with my husband again, go to church regularly and participate in the services.
I learned not to take even the smallest things for granted - like being able to cook a meal for my husband and do laundry.
I learned to never miss an opportunity to tell someone of Jesus because I may never see that person again.
I learned to prepare as if I would be here forever but to continually live as if it would be my last day here.
I learned how to survive battles of the spirit, body and mind. I'm no hero. I know there are many who have fought much worse battles and come through much better than I did but I can only share my experiences - not theirs.
I learned to take one day at a time and above all else, to lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus.
True peace and happiness will only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Happiness cannot be found in things, people, or a religion, but a true relationship with Jesus is a personal calling, a deep, intimate experience with the One who knows you best and loves you most.
It is having the Spirit of God dwelling inside and that deep peace, the peace that passes all understanding within. The Bible says that when Jesus left this earth He sent the Holy Ghost which would be a comforter back to us and made it available to all who would come to know Him. Without the Holy Ghost - the Spirit of God living on the inside, I would've never been able to make it through the terrible storm I faced in the past year.
It is my desire that when people read my blog they would not see me, but they would see this Great God that I serve. I'm not interested in the accolades of man, I just want them to see and understand how big God is and how powerful and mighty He wants to be in each and every one of us.
Seeing as how my journey through cancer is over this will most likely be my last blog post.
This chapter in my life is over and an exciting new chapter is just beginning. I can't wait to see what God is going to do in our lives!
Although my blog has come to an end, this is not the end of my story.
I have a burden to reach out to those who are also in the fight against cancer and to the courageous survivors who have fought and won.
I feel that God has given me a testimony that I can share with others of His Greatness and awesome healing power.
This desire has been the fuel for a special project that I have always dreamed about; and now it seems that I will be seeing those dreams come to pass.
I will post again once it is time to let you guys in on the secret. ;)
Thank you to all who have prayed, encouraged and loved me through my battle.
Thank you to the readers who have read this blog. It means alot that you would even take time to read my ramblings. :) Some of you I've known for many years and others I've never met, but I appreciate the support of all of you.
Blessings-
Amy Whitfield
