In the Midst of Suffering, Trust God

In the book, “Didache, January-December 2018,” Marie G. Ferrer shared her story: “When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I focused on beating it and immediately submitted to treatment –  eight cycles of chemo infused every two weeks. But while chemo promised to destroy the bad cells, it also drained and wiped me out.

“The first week following each cycle was bad. It smelled and left a metallic taste in the mouth.  I threw up and felt woozy and sore all over. The second week gave me two ‘good’ days to recover my strength for the next round. I held on, determined to fight it out standing. But when my hair fell – clumps of it scattered on my pillow, littering the floor, and clogging the bathroom drain – my bravado wore thin. Bald, sick, and ugly, I reached the end of my resolve. On bended knees, I cried out in desperation. ‘God, are you here? Please be with me.’

“Suffering invites us to shake off our natural inclination to self-dependence, to seek and recognize God who gives us rest…”

True indeed, in the midst of suffering there’s no one whom we can go to – except God. He is the light at the end in a dark tunnel. He is the flame that does not flicker when our fire of hope seems dim. He is the Father Almighty whom we can rely on when we become helpless in rough and tough times.

When I was diagnosed in October 2014 of stage 1B endometrium cancer, I was astounded. But deep in my heart I knew that if God is with me no one can be against me. I trusted God with all my heart that He would heal me. I underwent five radiations and abdominal CtScan once a year for five years. My faith in God never wavered. I had strong faith and trust in God’s mercy and kindness.

God is a faithful, compassionate, and merciful. I was steadfast with my prayer that God would heal me. In times when fear would lurk in my inner being, I would whisper to my heart Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”  Then I’d surrender everything to the Lord and ask Him to fight the battle for me. Last February 8 this year, my oncologist, Dr. Pherdes E.Galbo declared that I am now cancer-free. Praise and Thank God for His kindness and mercy. He truly answers prayers.

Pastor Charles Stanley of the faithgateway website states: “At some point, we all wrestle with why God allows us to suffer and we wonder if it’s because He no longer loves us. But the truth is, some of the greatest lessons we ever learn comes as a result of hardship. During these painful times, if we’ll cling to the Father, we’ll gain tremendous insight into His heart and mind.

“Friend, when you experience trials, realize that God doesn’t want to hurt you. Rather, He has great things He wants to teach you – lessons that, unfortunately can only be learned through sorrow. So when trouble and suffering strikes, be still and ask the Lord to show you what you can learn through the situation. Cling to God, trusting Him deeper and surrendering in faith to His omniscience and goodness.”

Jeremiah 33:3 declares: “Call to me and I will answer you.”