A Cup of Hope

Many years ago, I learned to quit asking a question when the answer is yes. There is a similar truth in prayer, when God sends relief, give thanks. This past Monday, Julie and I got the results from the first round of treatments. The news was fantastic. The markers the doctors were watching were reduced by two-thirds or more in just one round. Of course, there will still be eight to ten rounds of treatment remaining, but the only response I can find in my heart is to rejoice. I know there will be difficult days and good days throughout this journey, and no matter what the day holds, I can choose to rejoice because I know He is with me, He sees me, and He knows what He has prepared for me to endure and accomplish. The bottom line is this; I choose to praise God because I trust God in everything. The only real troubles I will ever face are the troubles that come when I act according to my will with no reliance on God. Today I rejoice for the encouraging news. But, tomorrow, if troubling news comes my way, I will rejoice because God is still with me and holding me up. Phil 4:4-5 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! In Him J. Tom Washburn

God Provides

Next week I begin round two. Here are a few things that I learned from round one. As I approached treatment, I must admit that I had a little bit of fear. I had heard all the horror stories of people on chemo and radiation, and I wasn’t sure how I would be able to handle all of that. Finally, however, I was given a definition of fear that seems appropriate for this situation: fear is letting what hasn’t happened yet and what may never happen, govern how you live today. The first round wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t horrible either. The first round reminded me of how the Christian walk often looks. For the first two weeks, I take a pill every day and have injections two times a week. To help me through the first two weeks, I also take a lot of steroids. The steroids give me the extra strength that my body needs to process everything going on. I still take the pills every day in the third week, but no steroids and no injections. Without the help given by the steroids, my body reacts to the pills by giving me a full-body rash. Then comes the fourth week. In the fourth week, I have no treatments at all. I have a week to let my body rest, recover, and get ready for the next round. As Christians, we all face trials of many kinds. There are times when we face those trials, and we have help. Our help is not a steroid; it is more powerful than a steroid. Our help is The Spirit and the brothers and sisters. They walk with us, hold us up, encourage us, and, if needed, correct us. It gives us great encouragement to know we are not alone. Then there are the times when we seem to face some trials alone. We suffer, and we wish the trial would go away. We may even carry scars and wounds that nobody can see, but the test's duration is limited, and we have a time of rest when it has passed. God blesses us with a time of recovery and strengthening because the round is about to start. My encouragement to you today is – Do not give up. He knows your trial, He knows your name, and He cares for you. He will send help at just the right time, and He will hold you in the tough times. In Him J. Tom Washburn Fully Rely On God

One dip down, Six more to go

As I was thinking about writing this week’s blog, my thoughts turned to Naaman, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. At first glance, these men seem to have very little in common; however, each of these men had to go through the entire test to see the ultimate victory go God. First, Naaman had to dip seven times in the Jordan before he was healed. Next, Daniel had to be thrown into the lion’s den before seeing the lions’ mouths closed. Finally, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had to be thrown into the fiery furnace before they saw the presence of God was with them and who would deliver them. This past week I finished my radiation treatments. They told me the radiation would help with the debilitating back pain. But, unfortunately, as of today, I still have the pain, and I feel like Naaman after just one dip in the Jordan. Disappointment does not keep me from trusting in God. My trust and faith in God are not based upon my circumstances. They are based upon who I know God to be. He is with me, even amid new and unexpected symptoms. This past week, I have developed a full-body rash and a very tender mouth. I don’t know when delivery will come. Like Naaman, I am thinking only six more dips. I don’t know how long it will be. I don’t have to know how long it will be. I trust God, and one day I will see His glory. In Him J. Tom Washburn

Blessed Man

Yesterday I received blood. Julie and I sat at the cancer center for nearly seven and a half hours while they gave me blood. I thought my devotional today would be about how the blood gives life and color and strength, not just to my body but how His blood gives life to my soul. But, instead, my mind was taken a different direction while I watched my wife sit quietly in a chair next to me all day long. The lesson I learned yesterday is that I am not alone. Since October 10th, Julie has not left my side. She wants me to know that I am not facing this alone. In so many ways, Julie shows me, Christ. When the Doctors give me less than good news, she takes my hands, looks me in the eyes, and says, we can do this. When I need help, she gently helps me up. She is the physical manifestation of what Christ is doing for me in the greater reality. He sits with me in the difficult times, He encourages me in the discouragements, and He lifts me when I have no strength of my own. I am a blessed man, and the presence of God surrounds me. I pray that my eyes will never close to His company. In Him. J. Tom Washburn