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Colonoscopies, Cancer, and FAITH!





For the past 6 and half years, I have worked at an endoscopy center. I work for a group of gastroenterologists who perform their procedures here. Colonoscopies, a scope that looks into the colon and intestines, and Endoscopies, a scope that looks into the esophagus and stomach. Since then, I have learned first hand the effects of what we eat on the body. Indigestion, heart burn, diverticulitis, ulcers, polyps and even cancerous tumors. I rarely think of it since I work up front. I check them in, get them registered and rarely see them as they leave. Most of them are cranky from not eating the day prior or weak from the prep they take to clean their body. Some are scared. Some are nervous. People come for many reasons from constipation to diarrhea, abdominal pain, or bleeding. I have become so used to working here, I rarely think of the people that leave her with bad news. Until yesterday.

Yesterday I was reminded the importance of getting your body checked out whenever you feel something is not normal. I was reminded that sometimes my patients that I greet as they walk in and are nervous about the unknown, actually walk out with the diagnosis of cancer. I remembered that it may be hard for people to receive that news if they have no faith or hope, then the news may kill them sooner than the illness. A patient made such on impact on me yesterday, that it was a great reminder of how easy it is to have faith and say I trust God when all is good. When I'm healthy, when I'm provided for...but how would i react if that was to be tested?

A man came in here with his wife yesterday. I registered him. He was only 45. He was nervous. I reassured him he would be fine and he went in for his procedure. Unfortunately, the doctor found a large cancerous tumor in his colon. What impacted me though, was that when the doctor gave the patient the news and as reassuring as he tried to be, the patient shook his hand and said "His grace is sufficient for ME". ......
 
WOW! I know the bible verse, I read it often. But to be able to answer that and to believe it in the midst of a test is the type of faith we are to have. See he will follow up with a surgeon who will determine if they can remove the tumor or if he will need a colostomy. They will also follow up with a lot of other tests to make sure the cancer has not spread anywhere else. He will have a lot of treatment options, and none of it guarantees he will live or that it will be a quick fix. But with his answer I know he will be ok. He knows where his faith is and on whom he stands. That's what Faith in Jesus is all about. Not that we wont face troubles, problems or illness, but that no matter what comes, OUR strength is found in HIM alone... In a world where people are looking to Jesus for a prosperous life, its important for me to tell you: that's not what life in HIM is about. Yes HE comes to give eternal life, and an abundant life, but we will have tests to endure and to face. The hope comes from knowing no matter what disease or hardship comes our way, we know God will be with us through it all. And in HIM, death has been defeated. Even if we die, we live!
 
God placed it in my heart about a year ago to change my prayer into letting JESUS be sufficient for me in all situations. And He keeps teaching me and reminding me that's what its all about. With Jesus we have everything, in the good and the bad. In the cancer and in health. I prayed for the patient last night, but my prayer was not necessarily that his body be healed. If God chooses to heal him, then may HE be glorified in that. But even if he doesnt, I pray this man is able to keep strong and keep the faith. To know our lives on earth in the light of eternity, are just a vapor and that should his time on this earth come to an end, that he knows to persevere to receive what God has prepared for those who love HIM. Living in the light of eternity, and knowing everything God allows in our lives have already passed though HIS loving hands are is the FAITH we need to keep going. I pray this makes an impact on you as it did on me and that no matter the hardship or the illness you are facing, that you may just continue to know God loves you and in HIM you have the victory. Eternal joy despite temporary circumstances!
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