This week’s devotion is Part 2 from last week. On Feb. 22, 2011 – my mom’s 58th birthday – we learned that her brain cancer had returned, again, and this time, surgery was not an option. I was in charge of her CaringBridge site, and I shared this testimony:

Today was not a good day. We found out Mom’s tumor is back. We are trying a new treatment and hoping for the best. Please pray that she does not get sick with the new medicine.

So how can I have a testimony on a day like today?

Because even in this, God is proving His sovereignty, His love, and His faithfulness.

I wrote an article a year and a half ago that I submitted to a Christian weekly that we give out at our church. The magazine accepted it a couple of months ago, and I got my complimentary copies a couple of weeks ago. But the issue will not be out until this Sunday, the first Sunday after our bad news. I think when you read the article, you will see why it’s no coincidence that God chose to have that article in this Sunday’s issue.

[The article, “We Fix Our Eyes on the Eternal,” was the devotion I shared last week about blessing in poverty in spirit following Mom’s initial diagnosis. The closing verses were  2 Corinthians 4:16-18. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”]

My testimony continued:

Now I will be honest. When I first realized the timing of this article, I wasn’t thrilled. In fact, I thought: “Really, God? Really? You’ll orchestrate that, but you won’t step in and prevent Mom’s cancer? I don’t want this gift! I want the gift of healing for Mom!”

But then I realized that I was refusing to accept a gift from the Sovereign Lord of Creation! No, I don’t understand why this is happening. But how awesome that the God who set the stars in motion cares enough about me to send this sign that He is in control — He knew just when to have that article run — and that He CARES.

Yesterday, I asked some good friends of mine to be praying. One of them had this in her email response: “I will be praying for you in this time that God’s peace will flood your life in small acts of grace.”

Absolutely her prayer is being answered. God is good.

“Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” Psalm 46:2

Your Turn: How have you experienced God’s comfort in suffering?