Overcomer, December 30
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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By Karen Wonders
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging (Psalm 46:1-3 NIV).
Jessica Bing might just be my most favorite patient who ever walked through the doors of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance. Even saying her name makes me happy. Bing! It just puts a smile on my face!
Not only does her name make me happy, her attitude does as well. Jessica Bing is one of my heroes in the faith, and her life has not been an easy ride. She is a divorced mother of three. The rest of her family lives over a thousand miles away. When I met her she was battling cancer for the second time.
In situations like this, it would be easy to think that the world was against you. I think many of us would give in to despair. We’d be cardholders in the “victims for life” club. Some of us might even feel bitter about our lot in life.
But not Jessica Bing. Jessica Bing calls herself an overcomer.
You see, God saved Jessica when she was in her early twenties. Since then, she has trusted Him to carry her through every storm she has faced. And He has been faithful to do so. When she struggled with infertility, Jesus carried her. When her husband left her, Jesus was enough. When she was diagnosed with cancer, Jesus showed her that He was the author of her life, and He provided all she needed to overcome. Her burden was heavy, but she learned to trust God to carry it for her. As a result, Jessica is not a victim. She is a victor!
What is so inspiring about her story is that Jessica is just like you and me. If we have accepted Christ as our savior, we too can be victors! Being a victor does not necessarily mean that we won’t face hardship in this life. It simply means that when the storms of life come, we will trust the One who has the power to calm the winds. We will trust that even if He doesn’t calm the storm, He can (and will) calm us!
Pray: Father God, You are our refuge. You are our ever-present help in the storm. Though our circumstances may not be what we would choose, we trust that You are working—right at this very minute—on our behalf to bring good from this situation. For You did not give us a spirit of fear, but of a sound mind, power, and love. Grant us peace in the midst of our storm as we cling to Your Son. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Your Turn: YOU are an overcomer! List all the things you have overcome in your life—and thank God for carrying you through!
Karen Y. Wonders, PhD, FACSM, Cancer Caregiver
Karen is the Founder and CEO of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, and Professor/Program Director of Exercise Physiology at Wright State University. Her passion is to advocate for exercise as part of the national standard of care for cancer. Her non-profit organization provides free exercise training to thousands of cancer survivors every month (www.mapletreecanceralliance.org). Dr. Wonders and her husband have 7 children—aged 16 and younger. If you think her hands are full, you should see her heart!
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