When I had breast cancer, a couple of people gave me Christian devotionals.
Although I am a Christian, I couldn't help but wonder how on earth these would help me. I didn't want more faith. What I wanted were assurances that: - my treatment would work,
- my cancer wouldn't come back, and
- I'd be around for my boys for years to come.
But alas, the assurances never came.
[I spent my first few weeks post-diagnosis angrily lashing out at God for allowing me to get cancer while also begging Him to save me from it].
But about a month in, I finally relented and started reading the books that had been given to me. And I was floored by how prescient they felt.
It was as if each book had been written specifically for me (each day knowing what I needed to hear most).
Other people of faith would tell me that's because God was speaking directly to me (or something like that). And I'm not saying that wasn't the case.
But here's what I do know (that applies to us all - regardless of whether you're a person of faith or what faith you follow). . . - I was hyper-aware of my need for help.
- I was open to and looking for things that could help.
That's what enabled me to find what I needed.
That year was hard. But (once I got past trying to bargain with God), it was a good hard because I chose to make it that way.
At the end of the day, you have to choose how you want to experience life's hardships. Make it a good hard, Friend.
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