The past few months in my extended family have been difficult. While we have experienced some special happy times, we have also shared a serious health concern for my brother and the passing of a dear family member, my sister-in-law's mother. The thunderbolt came in the midst of the others when my nephew's wife, a seemingly strong and healthy 38-year-old mother of four children was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. From the moment we heard the news, it has become the focus of our prayers and concern. She faces grueling treatments.
"I'm so sorry you have to go through this," I heard myself saying. Isn't that one of the things we say in situations like this? As I said it and heard the same sentiment from others, two key words came to the center of my attention.
GO THROUGH.
We all get bad news. We all have sadness, challenges, sickness, scary diagnoses. We go through.
That is the simple truth of what we do when the storms surround us. We hurt, we grieve, we cry...but we lean into the wind and rain of pain and distress. If we have an established faith, we get the real test of life...do we trust it? Will it be our mainstay as we go through the darkest hours?
But you are a shield around me, O Lord;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
-Psalm 3: 3 NIV