*WHY*

WHY??

Cancer is a disease that screams the question, “WHY?”

Why do I have it? Why do you have it? Why did it happen to me, to you, to us? WHY DO I HAVE IT AGAIN?

Why did God let this happen? Why hasn’t He healed me? Why do I have to go through this?

Some years ago, the Lord spoke to my husband about “why?” Dennis heard that the question “Why?’ is an emotional question, and can never be answered satisfactorily – the heart and mind will always demand another explanation.

That it is an emotional question means that there is something else, underneath the question. Something that hurts --- something that feels as if God doesn’t love us, or has turned His back on us – is actually asking the question. Something that feels like we’ve been abandoned into the world, without His help. That feeling actually hurts more than cancer.

We had an interesting discussion with my doctor – about how quickly some people lose all faith in the face of illness. What causes them to so quickly drop what they have known and believed? At the time that they need to hold onto faith and hope the most, they seem to empty their pockets. Is it a misbelief that life is supposed to be easy and comfortable? Is it a misbelief that once we know God, then He makes everything go our way? Is it in not understanding that we are on a journey that will take us many places?

The journey that each of us is on has been individually designed. There are no accidents, for people who are the creation of the One. Within each journey are riches untold, wonders surrounding us, joy and hope and peace to be found and made our own.

We find them by simply opening our eyes and our hearts to them. We miss them by insisting on a life that we understand, and can control. God offers us “fullness” --- fullness means to live IN and THROUGH difficult times, having our hearts and our characters changed by the trials, becoming more like Him. In that way, we are ready and victorious in the next difficulties. The process builds us, strengthens us, empowers us – all IN Him.

We learn how to get to His fortress, how to get to His lap and how to stay in His Presence – through the Process.

“My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. I am the good shepherd….” (John 10:10-11)