Choosing Joy thorough the Journey

Diagnosis Breast Cancer…. Choosing JOY through the journey.

January 14^th 2011

I’m sitting here now with surgery behind me, thank you Jesus for a successful surgery. Still having slight pain, but the majority of it behind me.

I go see the chemotherapy Dr. today. Lord, help me to keep the attitude of Joy. It is not by my strength, but only by yours. Help me Jesus!  

I think back to when I first found the lump in my breast, beginning of October 2010. I remember saying “No matter what, I am going to choose JOY. If the news is good or bad, it does not matter, I am making my mind to choose JOY, and I wanted God to be glorified in all of it.” That was and, by God’s grace, has been my attitude since.

Coincidently, or not, at that time, I was participating in a Beth Moore Bible study at WRCCC on Daniel. I have a new appreciation for Daniel. Daniel also made up his mind to serve God and no other from the beginning. When he was faced to serve another god, there was no choice for him; it was the one true GOD all the way. Daniel paid a price for his choice, but Jesus paid the highest price of all.

Beth Moore made a point of saying, “When you are faced with a crisis in your life you have choices, 1) you can panic, 2) you can become paralyzed, 3) you can pray.” I choose to pray. I thank God for all those who are standing with me to pray. Lord, bless them all!

Coincidently again, or not, Beth Moore also made the comparison of Daniel in the lion’s den with facing Breast Cancer. When you are facing any crisis, God will do one of three things. 1) Take you out of the fire. (That would be my 1^st choice!)  2) Take you through the fire. 3) Take you through and into His arms.

When you think about it.  God is with you (me) through any scenario, so we can’t lose.

After I had the biopsy and before the results, I when to NY for a missions trip to minister to women in a shelter, and also the homeless on the streets.

I met Rose on the bus on the way up to NY; she was from Greater Works Church, and a wonderful woman of God. I could tell just by her presence. I did not know anything else about her, nor did she know much about me. I had not shared with anyone about the lump or the biopsy. We shared a room together and the next morning, during our quiet time, Rose said to me, “Jan, I believe this word is for you”.

Rose read to me from Isaiah 12:2-6.

“Surely God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid.  The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

In that day you will say; Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

                                                               

The next day, I received the news from my Dr. that I had breast cancer. It amazes me how God cares about our every detail. He loves us so much. He used a stranger, who was obedient to Him, to tell me that he will take me through this fire, and I should trust him and not be afraid. I can’t believe he even added the joy part. LOL! “With joy you will draw water from the wells of my salvation.” A dear friend reminded me that the word salvation used here is also translated healing! God continues to remind me of His love for me. I am in awe at His attention to our every need. He is always there; it’s that sometimes we are not so much aware of Him. If we stop and take the time to see, and listen, we will see Him in so many ways.

At the end of our Daniel study, my wonderful lady friends got together and gave me a “basket of JOY”. It had everything imaginable that pertained to joy! From plaques, hanging signs of joy, to almond joy candy bars, my friends wanted me to be reminded of joy in all things all the time! I am so thankful for wonderful friends. I love you all!

I will keep you posted on this adventure of “Journey of Joy” Every day is an adventure; it is up to us if we make it a joyous one!