Today Mary took in chemo infusion #4. With 14 left, progress seems slow and not always sure. It’s tempting to say, “These four and no more.” In a fight against cancer, things sometimes get worse before they get better.

But God is monitoring her situation closely. As Mary goes through the fire of cancer and chemo, the Lord is keeping his hand firmly on the thermostat and won’t let it get hot enough to overwhelm her. He’s right next to her, in the fire with her, exactly as he was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego of Bible times.

No life is without its concentrated heat: diseases, relationship troubles, accidents, distress of all kinds. God’s intention is that our sufferings produce a willingness to endure whatever he allows. 1 Peter 5:10 says, “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10)

God doesn’t remove suffering the minute it pounces. Instead he lets it come and sometimes stay “a little while” as Paul says, partly to increase our patience to handle hardship. When Nate found out he had cancer that was going to take his life in just a few weeks, we talked about how difficult it was to accept. Finally he said, “I shouldn’t ask, ‘Why me?’ Instead I should ask, ‘Why not me?’ ”

That realization probably didn’t make his suffering any easier, but he found a measure of satisfaction in accepting what he knew was the truth. In Scripture Paul not only listed his own afflictions, he let us know he saw each one as a (gulp) privilege. And just when we’re wondering how he could possibly have seen it that way, he tells us:

“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) And that strength-to-endure is available to all of us. Jesus waits for us to ask for it, but when we do, he delivers.

Mary asked for it today and felt it when he made a special delivery of his strength-to-endure, right into her “little chemo cubicle” during infusion #4. And she’s confident he’ll see her through 14 more. It may go slow, but it will definitely be sure.

“Everywhere and in all things I have learned…. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:12-13)

Praising and Praying with Mary

1. So thankful for the prayers of many and the special peace I felt at the hospital today. No nausea so far, at bedtime Monday! Thanks for praying against it for the next 24 hours.
2. Pray about feeding tube pain, as the expert can’t see me until July 2. Please pray for an earlier appointment.
3. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, and I counted many blessings today.