There is something about the place of human weakness that God is pleased to do His deepest work. Human power and strength don’t do much to impress God – the Scriptures prove that. Oh, but let the weakling cry out in the smallest voice; or a heart, once set ablaze by redeeming love, faintly flicker in the night season of the soul, and the God of Israel sends from on High.
Early last year I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. During my sickness I experienced a fatigue and lethargy such as I had never known before. Simple, every-day tasks seemed like mountains of impossibility, and with each passing day I felt myself grow more distant to the things of God. It was as if the wilderness of my own sickness had left me burned beyond my own recognition. The secret cry of my heart was, “Lord, don’t look at me for what I have become but rather love me for what I yearn for – You.” I think this is what the Shulamite woman meant when she said, “Do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the Sun…” (Song of Solomon 1:6) Like her, I perceived my own spiritual condition to be darkened and most unlovely.
One of the most wonderful things about the Bible is that when you cannot articulate what is wrong with you, God’s Word can do it for you. In the Song of Solomon the Shulamite woman is brought into her King’s chambers where a banquet has been prepared for her. While the voices of the “angry watchmen” would have her stay outside in the blazing sun where they could beat and shame her, her King was drawing her into the shade of His presence, where she would be refreshed and strengthened. “With his left arm under my head and his right arm embracing me”, the Shulamite woman was reminded that she had been set like a seal over His heart, “for love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.” (Song of Songs 8:6). How utterly foolish to think that there is any depth, or life storm that can alter the love of God. “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.” (Song of Songs 8:7). I belong to Him and His desire will always be for me.
Today, as far as the doctors are concerned, I am cancer free. I don’t know why God in His sovereignty chose to heal me, but this much I do know: There are depths of God’s love that can only be known through the experience of weakness. Whereas I didn’t think I could make it through one more day – suddenly I had these hinds feet and I was standing on new heights. Job knew the power of God in the face of deep pain and loss, and today I can say like him, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen.” (Job 42:5)
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Thanks for sharing this Sister Christina. I will be passing this “comfort” along.
Sincerely appreciate hearing your story, Christina. “There is something about the place of human weakness that God is pleased to do His deepest work.” True for you, true for Christ (1 Cor 1:27), and therefore true for all those born from above. “Lord put us in the place of weakness, so we may experience your strength” (2 Cor 12:9). We need a theology of weakness developed, taught, and lived!
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. they are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion” says my soul,”Therefore I have hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. (Lamentaions 3:21-25)
You see, Christina, we actually have a lot in common, I was healed by God also,and like you I have been asking the same question, “Why me?”. But in His timing He will reveal that to me, so I just keep studying and trusting Him.
This is beautiful.
Christina, praise the Lord! About five years ago I had two pre-cancerous nodules in my thyroid gland and a pretty large goiter. I have hashimodo’s thyroid disease. I had the usual needle biopsy’s etc, extreme exhaustion and fatigue, hair falling out in clumps, skin problems. I am sure you experienced much of the same. About two years ago I walked into my Doctor’s office and much to her surprise and mine, the goiter and both nodules were gone. And they have never come back, I still scratch my head over that one and I am so blessed amazed. I hardly ever thing about it but at the time it’s was a very scary couple of years waiting to see what happened. I am so blessed to have read this, even though the thought of you being sick makes me so uneasy and sad, I know that no matter what we suffer on this earth God uses that to bring him Glory, he’s in control. I love you Christina, and I am so happy and blessed to hear of your continued good health, and mine too!
Teresa, I had no idea! It is amazing how a little organ can be responsible for regulating our entire beings, isn’t it?! I never even knew what a thyroid was until this happened!
And, I am just so thankful to hear that you are well today, too! Praise God for that, Teresa!
Thanking God for you and your sweet friendship!
Much love & blessings to you!
I never knew anything about thyroid glands until my Dad had a thyroid goiter. I followed him in a few years with mine. It’s so strange how that can just throw our whole bodies off course. It’s weird young women (I was at the time anyway, LOL) getting thyroid cancer. I am so blessed mine just dissapeared before it was a full blown cancer diagnoses. It was a matter of time, but mine was caught so early they were just going to cut it out. I sit her in total amazement that He healed us both. This was just a great post, and I am so blessed by your friendship also. God is so good Christina, He amazes me more every day!
I’m always inspired and thankful to read your posts Christina, and ever so thankful that you are Cancer Free! I read your list of things to be thankful for, and thought too of all my blessings. Thanks for gently reminding me…again! God bless you.
Lori, thank you for rejoicing with me!
I just visited your place and was blessed to read your list too! I left a comment!
Joining you as we thank Him for every good and perfect gift!
Love and blessings to you!