<p><strong>Traumatized and terrified of cancer? Whether you or a family member is battling the disease, this trusted, encouraging 90-day devotional will comfort and strengthen you. Written by women who have faced cancer themselves, this book reminds you that you are not alone and will help set your heart free from fear.</strong></p><p>When you hear the doctor say the word <em>cancer</em>, your fears can be overwhelming. Thankfully, there is a place of peace you can experience. Through these pages, women who have walked this difficult journey themselves will pray through cancer with you and walk alongside you through your own journey.</p><p>This encouraging daily devotional is written specifically for women battling cancer, and it is written by women who have faced cancer themselves, containing insight, wisdom, and clarity found only through personal trial. Whether you are facing breast cancer, thyroid cancer, or any form of the disease, the testimonies and prayers in this book will strengthen and bless you in the months ahead.</p><p>Each daily devotional includes:</p><ul><li>Scripture verse and prayer</li><li>Inspirational story where fears and anger are transformed into confident expectation and pure worship</li><li>Intentional tip of the day to help you personally encounter God</li><li>Prayer references for encouragement</li></ul><p>You don’t have to face cancer alone. As you read, you’ll feel as though you are meeting kindred spirits—old friends who will come alongside you in your journey, encouraging you and understanding what no one else can.</p><p>Contributors include Kay Warren, Pat Palau, Barbara Johnson, Joyce Wright, and many more.</p><p><strong>Praise for <em>Praying Through Cancer</em>:</strong></p><p>“What an encouraging devotional! Written by women who have walked the road and speak from experience, it demonstrates how God can enable you to come through the trials of cancer with praise on your lips, peace in your spirit, and hope in your heart.”—<strong>Kay Marshall Strom</strong>, author of <em>The Cancer Survival Guide</em></p><p>“Journeying through breast cancer, the most authentic voices that encouraged me were women who have pilgrimmed ahead of me. . . . This book nourished my spirit and renewed my hope—may it do the same for you.”—<strong>Karen Hill</strong>, Author of <em>Owen’s Walk</em> and assistant to Max Lucado</p><p> </p>
Praying Through CANCER
Set Your Heart Free from FearBy Susan Sorensen Laura GeistThomas Nelson
Copyright © 2007 Susan Sorensen
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-0-8499-1882-7Contents
Acknowledgments....................................................................xiWe're Praying Through with You.....................................................xiv1. Refined in the Fire, Kay Warren.................................................12. Centered on Christ, Susan Sorensen..............................................33. An Unwelcome Intruder, Lynn Eib.................................................54. Throw Yourself a Party, Missy Morrow and Ann Snuggs.............................75. A Way in the Wilderness, Melinda Merwin.........................................106. Let Go ... Let God! Laura Geist.................................................127. The "Big C" and the "Little c," Sister Sue Tracy................................148. Hands Wide Open, Linda Pewitt...................................................169. God's Love Language, Elizabeth Jane.............................................1810. Peace or Panic, Debbie Petersen................................................2011. All for His Glory, Kayleen Merry...............................................2212. Firmly Held, Melinda Merwin....................................................2413. A 100 Percent Guarantee, Lynn Eib..............................................2614. God's Mercies to Our Children, Pat Palau.......................................2915. A Warm Covering, Sue Stalzer...................................................3116. No Fear of Bad News, Susan Sorensen............................................3317. Seeing God in the Rainbows of Life, Susan Wilkinson............................3518. Death of a Dream, Trina Mavin..................................................3719. Suffering: God's Megaphone, Sherri Schut.......................................3920. Silent, Jan Parker.............................................................4121. He Is Able to Make My Way Perfect, Susan Sorensen..............................4322. Is Your Face Turned Toward Me? Barbara Johnson.................................4523. Safety in the Lion's Den, Katherine Powers.....................................4724. He Will Quiet You with His Love, Joyce Wright..................................4925. Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Mary Beth Buhr.................................5126. Are You Sure, Lord? Sarah Eggerichs............................................5327. Climbing into God's Chariot, Susan Sorensen....................................5528. Crucified with Christ, Susan Sorensen..........................................5729. Be Still, Lynne Davis..........................................................5930. Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow, Laura Geist.........................................6131. Unmistakable, Joanne Arentson..................................................6332. Cancer Isn't Very Funny, Lynn Eib..............................................6533. My Chemo Buddy, Laura Geist....................................................6734. The Reservoir, Joanne Arentson.................................................6935. As the Shepherd Gathers His Lambs, Julie Kuntzman..............................7136. Beauty Shop Blues, Elizabeth Jane..............................................7437. When There's Nothing You Can Do, Kayleen Merry.................................7638. The Gift of Suffering, Elizabeth Jane..........................................7839. Carabiner of Hope, Laurann Patterson...........................................8040. My Sanctuary, Diane Lankford...................................................8241. A Win-Win Situation, Barbara Johnson...........................................8442. The Unwrapped Gift, Laura Geist................................................8643. Bolder as I've Gotten Balder, Kim Newlen.......................................8844. The Children's Prayers, Diane Willis...........................................9045. The Eternal Now, Marti Odle....................................................9246. Angel Wings, Kayleen Merry.....................................................9447. Sleep Deprived, Lois Olmstead..................................................9648. Do You Trust Me? Julie Kuntzman................................................9849. Grace in Time of Need, Sandra Burmeister.......................................10050. Giving Thanks Is Quite a Sacrifice! Sarah Eggerichs............................10251. In Sickness and in Health, Pat Palau...........................................10452. Joy in the Journey, Barbara Johnson............................................10653. Thirst Quencher, Laura Geist...................................................10854. A Lamp unto My Feet, Judy Anderson.............................................11055. Fixing My Thoughts on God, Amy Givler, MD......................................11256. Not "Why?" but "How?" Susan Sorensen...........................................11457. The Balm of Gilead, Joyce Van Dyk..............................................11658. Counting on His Faithfulness, Melinda Merwin...................................11859. The Woman in the Mirror, Pam Brown.............................................12060. A Very Special Birthday, Debbie Petersen.......................................12261. An Unexpected Gift, Sue Stalzer................................................12462. Closet Time, Laura Geist.......................................................12663. The Best Prescription of All, Susan Sorensen...................................12864. His Eye Is on the Sparrow, Connie Hastings.....................................13065. MRI: Mini Roll Insertion, Barbara Johnson......................................13266. A Hot Flash Is Not a News Bulletin, Lois Olmstead..............................13467. Prayer Is Not a Feeling, Pam Formsma...........................................13668. Disappointed Plans, Amy Givler, MD.............................................13869. The Whisper of God, Betty Jo Lewis.............................................14070. The Fruit of Suffering, Kay Luther.............................................14271. Surrendered, Pam Brown.........................................................14472. Forever Blooming, Donna Lewis..................................................14673. Deep Beauty, Laura Geist.......................................................14874. Humor Saved the Day! Eva Rice..................................................15075. Can I Exchange This Tent for Another? Susan Sorensen...........................15276. My Ebenezer, Elizabeth Jane....................................................15477. No Excuses, Joanne Arentson....................................................15678. God's Woman in God's Time, Laura Geist.........................................15879. Surprise Treasures, Ruth Ann Dusek.............................................16080. Strong Roots, Laurann Patterson................................................16281. Now Where Did I Put It? Lois Olmstead..........................................16482. Faith, Suffering, Endurance, Character, Hope! Nancy Tucker.....................16683. So Much More, Trina Mavin......................................................16884. When Faith Falters, Eva Rice...................................................17085. Unexpectedly Lonely, Barbara Johnson...........................................17286. A New Normal, Patti Nagle......................................................17487. Renewing Your Mind, Laura Geist................................................17688. Hope, Julie Duesing............................................................17889. Is Jesus Enough? Lynn Eib......................................................18090. Passing Through Baca, Laura Geist..............................................182A Final Word.......................................................................184Notes..............................................................................190
Chapter One
Refined in the Fire
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. -Job 23:10
The doctor was very matter-of-fact. When he told me I had breast cancer, his inflection didn't change, his manner didn't warm up, and he offered nothing in the way of comfort. He left the room, leaving me to weep alone.
While this earthly man had no reaction to my diagnosis, my heavenly Father instantly offered me His words of comfort and peace. A Scripture fragment floated into my mind: "He knows the way I take." In my shock and dismay, I couldn't remember where it was from, but it gave me a lifeline to grab on to.
God, the Creator of the universe, the Almighty One, the Lord of heaven and earth, knew the "way"-the journey I was starting on. That meant He wasn't surprised (although I certainly was) and had already begun to prepare all that I would need along the way. My loving, purposeful Father had factored cancer into His plan for me long before I was aware of it. His eyes were on me; He held me in His tender gaze. I wasn't alone anymore!
God, how can I ever thank You for showing up when I need You the most? I am never alone! You promise to be my refuge and my strength, my ever-present help in trouble. You are with me when I receive exciting, thrilling news, and You are with me even when I hear news that threatens to shake me to my core. Those dreaded words, "It's cancer," don't send You running from the room. Instead, You rush to bring me the assurance that You know exactly where I am.
There is nothing ahead of me that can detour Your will for my life. You will fulfill Your purpose for me. How I praise You for Your unfailing love. You are my God forever and ever, and You will be my guide even to the end. I trust You implicitly. May this furnace of testing show the true colors of my faith in You, and may I come forth as gold.
Kay Warren Senior pastor's wife, Saddleback Church
Today's Tip: When you find yourself facing frightening moments, remind yourself that God stands with you. You are never alone!
Prayer References: Psalm 46:1; Psalm 138:8; Psalm 48: 9, 14; Job 23:10
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Praying Through CANCERby Susan Sorensen Laura Geist Copyright © 2007 by Susan Sorensen. Excerpted by permission.
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