in 2014, I heard those three words nobody wants to hear, “You have cancer.” I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, which had already advanced to stage four. I would later discover that my chances of living five years were just 20%. On that day in April 2014, my life, my family, and every plan I had for the future changed forever. My dreams for my future and that of my family’s were crushed. The fact that so much relied on me that it blinded me from red flags alerting me of serious health problems. I should have gotten tested long before I did. Maybe you’re in a similar place today might not be cancer, but your life or an essential part of your life has been decimated. I’m sure, as I’m breathing right now, I can tell you there is hope. God wasn’t done with me in 2014, and God isn’t done with you right now. He has a plan for you, your life, your children, and your family. If you are going through a trial, take heart.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Nothing Surprises God
Nothing surprises God. He knew I had cancer before my diagnosis, and he had a plan for me, and he knew that you would be reading this today. When I was diagnosed, there was nowhere else to turn; I needed a miracle. Sometimes, God works very fast miracles, but often, it takes a while. God says in Proverbs 1 that wisdom wants and desires for us to seek it. If we are going through a trial, we need God’s wisdom and the wisdom of a plan. Since God has known about this, he has a plan. I sat in front of my computer and asked him for a Plan, and I sat still, waiting to hear from God, and I began typing. Thoughts came to my heart, scriptures illuminated my mind, and when I stopped typing, I had the skeleton of a plan that kept me strong through my stage 4 battle.
Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.21 She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: 23 Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.
Proverbs 1:20-21, 23
Getting a Plan, Working the Plan
Psalm 18 says that God teaches us how to fight and specifies that he makes our arms strong enough to bend a bronze bow. Every battle is different, and each one requires a specific strategy. He can give us the strength. We need to fight in the areas we need to fight in a battle. There were armor bearers, footmen, horsemen, and archers in warfare. Each served a specific purpose and was outfitted for that battle. The one who has known about this trial also has a plan to get us through. He can train our hands for war; we only need to seek Him and expect an answer. He will come through.
He trains my hands for war,
Psalm 18:34
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
Prayer
Lord, you see everything I’m going through right now. You know the end from the beginning. Nothing surprises you, for you knew about this before I did. Your word says that you want to give us wisdom, that you can teach me how to battle this, and if I ask and seek, I will find the answers. I ask that You give me a plan to get through this trial, and as I look to You and seek You, then You will make it clear to me. You will also confirm it with your word and in the mouth of two or three witnesses. I praise You for Your faithfulness. You are an all-knowing and loving God, and You can make something beautiful out of this situation. I give You my life and my difficulties, and I thank You ahead of time for Your answers. In Jesus’ name, amen.
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8
