Let me make an analogy between the physical and the spiritual.
Would you not agree that there is a fundamental difference between pain in the cancer ward and agony in the delivery room? One is suffering that brings life; the other is that of death.
As a pastor, I have watched many people struggle with cancer. It is such an awful disease. I think of one friend who went through so much – – lost her hair during chemotherapy — – had her body ravaged by the disease – and then she slowly died. Her hospital room was a place of pain.
The delivery room is also full of pain. If I ever complain about discomfort, my wife who has delivered four babies is happy to remind me that I am not acquainted with real pain. Never the less, the agony of labor is of a different kind than cancer suffering. Labor is pain based on a beautiful hope.
Everyone in this life will suffer. And, if Christ does not come back in our life time, we will all die. But, for a believer, the sufferings of life are those of the delivery room. Romans 8 says that our sufferings are “birth pains” that will one day give way to the sons of God being revealed.
If you are believer with cancer, then you have all the hope of eternity. Remember, our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Soon and very soon, Jesus will come back and we will be eternally with Him.
Excellent!
What a great and insightful post. I was present when my mother died of cancer. She woke up from a 6 day coma, as the cancer had spread to her brain causing severe seizures. The last seizure was more than her cancer ravished body could take. Yet, the Lord saw it that she would awake and be lucid for a few minutes before He took her to her eternal home. She knew she was dying and knew where she was going, as she told me that He was there waiting for her. What a beautiful morning that was as she said her final goodbyes and breathed her last here on earth. It was peaceful, beautiful and left me with so much hope. This happened 24 years ago and it is a memory that has changed me.
This past December, I was privileged to be just outside the door as my eldest daughter, accompanied by her loving husband, brought my first granddaughter to the world. Hearing the last sounds of pain from my daughter as the delivery progressed rendered me totally helpless. But Christ was also in that birthing room giving us that beautiful hope… her name is Valene Noelle Gammo. May the Lord Almighty be praised forever!
Socorro,
Thanks so much for sharing your story. Isn’t it amazing to think that you will see your mother again very soon. And, praise the Lord for your granddaughter.
Thanks for this Chris – I for one am looking forward to the end of the birth pangs.
David: Revelation 22:20: “soon.” Prayed for you today.
I really appreciate this story! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for this article. I saw it referenced on Challies.com.
I was in the room with my daughter when she delivered my first grandchild. What a tremendous blessing that was. A few years later that daughter was with me when we held my husband as he stepped into Heaven after a 4 year battle with colon cancer. That is now the second leading cause of cancer in the U.S. His last words on earth were to me, “I Love You.” God answered so many prayers that four years now we still praise His Holy Name for mercy and grace.
Vicky, thanks for sharing. I did not know that colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer. What a blessing that those were his last words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, with an emphasis on 18.