“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace.” Philippians 4:6-7a (NLT)
We humans feel all kinds of emotions when something unexpected happens. This was very real to me this past winter when I was told over the phone by my doctor that my test results indicated stage two cancer. I didn’t have any words to say, except “Okay.” I kind of went numb for a while from the news . . . thinking I had just received my death sentence.
After sitting in my apartment alone, all of a sudden I felt God near and speaking to me through these Scriptures: “For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, I
am here to help you’” (Isaiah 41:13, NLT). I had always been afraid to hear that I had cancer. But now that I’ve heard it, I am so thankful that God has been with me, giving me peace. He will do what is best. No matter what comes our way, we still have a choice of how we respond.
My family has been very supportive through my surgeries and treatments. I am thankful for the many friends who have come alongside me with their prayers and encouragement. One day a “promise card” showed up in my basket in the common laundry room. It read: “The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you. . . The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18, NLT). With that assurance, we can come confidently to God in prayer, knowing that we will never be turned away.
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your grace. Give me strength to face whatever comes my way, and to be an encouragement to someone else in need. Amen.
– Bessie McPeek
Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.
Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org