(Please click for background music as you read this message of H.I.M.)
It has been said that Plato once commented, “An unexamined life is a wasted life.” If that were true, then this past year I most certainly have had much time for reflection as I prepare for my “new normalcy.” It has now been nine months since having had major surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments to make me well again. Thankfully, my invasive course of treatments is now complete!
We now not only begin a new year, but my “new normalcy,” which is so very much welcome. And yet, I ask myself, “What does a “new normalcy” actually mean? Was this past year of pain and suffering that much out of the norm for life in general?” I sometimes wonder if our society defines the definition of “normal” in its truest form. In other words, “What should one really expect to be considered “normal,” while on the happy trail called "life"? If one were to eliminate anxiety, fear, pain, stress, worry, or possibly physical unwellness in one’s life, then life must be “normal” right, while seamlessly sailing along? However, if one does, in fact, suffer from one or all of these mental and/or physical states then should one expect to be considered “abnormal”? Will I ever feel that I can experience contentment, happiness, peace, stability or tranquility again like I did in my pre-cancer, “normal” life, assuming they existed before cancer invaded my life?" I ask these questions of myself, as I really am unsure how to define the “new normalcy” of my life, since being diagnosed with breast cancer. However, one thing I know for sure since having had cancer it most certainly does force one to re-examine and reflect on the direction, meaning and purpose of one’s life.
I believe for me to honestly answer any of the abovementioned questions for my life, I must above all, acknowledge the following, in order to have any quality of mental, physical and/or spiritual wellness:
• Accept – God’s promises, believe and wait on Him. A normal life can and most likely will have challenges of anxiety, fear, pain, stress, worry, and possibly poor health at some point in one’s life’s;
“But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm” (Proverbs 1:33).
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
• Cling – to God’s promises. Pray and mediate each and every day, knowing one does not need to go through life’s uncharted waters alone as God, who is my comforter, will always be with me;
“My soul clings to you; Your right hand upholds me”(Psalm 63:8).
“Blessed be to the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
• Trust – in God’s promises. It is only by trusting God with my life can I experience the direction, meaning and purpose of my life, which will give me inner peace, healing and restoration.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).
As a child of God, I must daily ACT in faith, hope and prayer that His will be done in and for my life knowing His love and faithfulness will carry me through ALL of life’s circumstances in this new year ~ my new normalcy.
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| “Faith
is like radar that sees through the fog — the reality of things at a distance that the human eye cannot see.” ~ Corrie ten Boom |
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