An incredible woman I know shared the story of how God is meeting her in the midst of her cancer.
For anyone wrestling with loss or pain, a disease or financial challenge, never, never, never forget the wonder of prayer: [Tweet this]
Four and a half years ago, Sue Boldt felt the Lord drawing her to Isaiah 41: 10-13 which begins with “Fear not.”
At the time she received this passage, she had no idea that two weeks later she would be on an operating table fighting for her life as a ruptured, football-sized, tumor was removed from her abdomen during emergency surgery. The diagnosis was adrenal cortical carcinoma–a rare, aggressive, and very deadly form of cancer with a single-digit survival rate, a life expectancy of less than a year, and no viable form of treatment.
However, for the next three years, holding on to God’s promises, she was cancer free. Then, a small tumor appeared and she underwent a second surgery. It was diagnosed as a reappearance of the cancer. And although somewhat confused by this outcome, she continued to trust the Lord for the fulfillment of Isaiah 41.
Then the following year, according to both a CT scan and a PET scan, it appeared as though a new tumor had developed in the same area. At this point, both her oncologist and surgeon told her that the cycle was “winding down.” This meant that she should prepare for the inevitable.
However, she elected to have surgery anyway believing that God’s promises overrule medical diagnoses. And beyond any natural expectation, no trace of cancer was found. Praise God!
At the very end the surgeon stated: “This was a completely unexpected outcome, I know you have lots of people praying for you, tell them to keep it up. This changes everything.”
Randy and Susan Boldt pastor Crossroads Community Foursquare Church in Fairfield, CA.
Sue held tight to Isaiah 41. What verse or passage has brought you through a tough time?
Interestingly enough, my passage is about prayer…and it became “my passage” about 5 years ago when my hubby and I were (and still are) walking through a very trying unexplainable, painful medical situation. I believe this situation has change the way we, my family and our church enter in prayer. You know sometimes when you are in the midst of something so trying, unbelievable, unexplainable and the most you can do when you wake up and pray…”Lord, just help put my feet on the floor today so I can get moving”…you NEED the prayers of others for all the rest of the stuff that is going on.
8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,[a] about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. II Cor. 1:8-11
Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability, Tara. Your story speaks so loudly what others are so afraid to admit. Praying for you and your husband today! Thanks for sharing that passage.
I have a stack of index cards of scriptures that got me through the 6 months of carrying our terminally diagnosed daughter to term. I brought them with me to her birth and went through them every time I felt fear.
From the beginning of her diagnosis the Holy Spirit gave me Eph 3:20-21 and during her grief He gave me Eph 3:19. I had focused so much on the end of that chapter that I had never read 19 until my SIL gave me a painting with it. (That reminded me of a meaningful gift!!)
WOW. I’m so touched by the power of the Word in your situation. Praising God for his goodness and faithfulness even in the most difficult of circumstances.