During Breast Cancer Awareness month, tune in to hear Joni talk about her past with cancer. She encourages you to take heart, because the Lord of the universe is in the battle with you. Believe and live like a conqueror.
Diagnosed With Breast Cancer booklet, free offer link below:
Cancer is a word that can curdle the blood.
The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman’s life is around one in eight. Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and that’s about 12 percent. That could be a pretty scary statistic because for years breast cancer was labeled a terminal disease. But the good news is, thanks to constant improvements in treatment and early detection, millions of women are surviving breast cancer. And I’m one of them. And I can say whether you’re worried about developing breast cancer, making decisions about treatment, or trying to deal with the ups and downs of chemotherapy or radiation, there are things you can do to make the most of your battle. Because yes, it’s a battle. You’re in the battle of your life [and not only that, for your life], but there is hope. Millions of women have gone through what you now face, and they have survived. In every community, there are breast cancer support groups. And because October is known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the word is getting out that there is plenty of help, plenty of information, and hope to go around.
And with Jesus Christ, there is even more hope. According to 1 Timothy 6, Jesus even believes your fight against cancer can be a good one. You can find real hope that you are not alone. God says in Isaiah 41, “Do not fear, I am with you; do not be dismayed, I am your God. I’m going to strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Talk about not leaving you alone, and then elsewhere in Isaiah the Lord promises, “I will carry you. I have made you, and I will bear you up; I will carry and I will save you. I will be your God throughout your lifetime… I made you, and I will care for you.” Wow! In just the span of those two verses, God uses the personal pronoun ten times – I will do this, I will do that, I am he, I will always, and more. Friend, you’ve got a warrior in this battle with you!
There were times during my treatment when my faith would vacillate. I never in all my life experienced real thirst until those first few nights after each round of chemotherapy. And when it came to radiation, they had to stop treatment three or four times because my chest looked like raw meat. Yes, it was discouraging. But I anchored my faith to Psalm 73. Asaph fought off discouragement with these words, saying, “Who I have in heaven but you? And I desire nothing on earth but you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God you’re the strength of my heart, and you’re my portion forever.” All these scriptures that I’ve mentioned gave me such emotional balance, as well as a healthy dose of true reality. I prayed, “Lord, thank you that I’m not alone. You are here, bearing my burdens and caring for my needs. You have not abandoned or forgotten me. Give me your strength for this challenge!” And you know what? He did.
Friend, you can endure almost anything – even sitting slump shouldered in a big chemo chair – if you know that God is sitting next to you. So take heart because the Lord of the universe is in the battle with you. His love is powerful enough to pull you through. You are more than a conqueror, so believe it and live like it. By the way, I share all this in my booklet, “Diagnosed with Breast Cancer” and if you or someone you know is struggling with this disease, then ask for your free copy at joniradio.org. Find hope in your cancer at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends