One of the most helpful things I've read was the post about
what you did instead of worrying about the latest scan: work and pray. I would
like to know how or why you realized/decided that working and praying are the
best things to do in that situation. Also, tell us what you've learned about
trusting Him and praying when afraid.

Thanks for the question...and for reading .

This is particularly relevant to me today. My next scan is Thursday (along with a session of "Meet the New Oncologist"). I'm also in the process of revisiting a particularly sticky issue in a relationship with a beloved fellow believer. Naturally, I'm writing this in between sessions of scrubbing my house, which is conveniently filthy after a long weekend of neglect. Tomorrow is designated for baking...anyone want some whole wheat rolls or a pan of dark chocolate brownies?

So, how did I learn that working and praying are the best things to do in an awful situation? I'm not really sure. I do know that in the year before my diagnosis, I was able to do an intensive study of the book of Romans with my Community Bible Study class. The year before that, I had the opportunity to complete the Return to Jerusalem study. Both of these studies reinforced the concept of God's sovereignty in every situation. Everything within me resonates with the knowledge that NOTHING takes God by surprise. Rather, it was determined by Him from the beginning of time.

Over the last few years, this theology has become intensely personal; first as we struggled to conceive and maintain a pregnancy with our fourth child, then as we struggled through his ridiculously difficult first year, followed by our sojourn in Cancerland, and now a much-belated adjustment to our move to an area that, quite frankly, none of us is thrilled to be in. When I'm tempted to scream, cry, and throw a tantrum (something I've struggled with as recently as this morning), I force myself to remember that my circumstances haven't surprised God, nor have they knocked him off of the throne. Put in the proper Biblical perspective, in comparison to what awaits me (an eternity of worshipping at the throne of grace), ANY of my life's trials are truly light and momentary(2 Cor 4:17). Hallelujah!

I can't control my circumstances, but I have been given the grace, through Christ, to control my behavior. This is where I look at the Word and see that while I am commanded again and again to fear God (respect his awesome person and statutes), I am also commanded again and again to NOT BE AFRAID (anxious, overwhelmed by emotion). Philippians 4:6 commands, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

The choice is clear. To succumb to anxiety for the future is to blatantly disobey God, to not cultivate that reverent fear for who He is. Praying is an outpouring of my desire to love and obey Him. Working, is the physical activity that calms my disobedient flesh and enables me to pray