“Mr. and Mrs. Troxel, I am sorry to inform you that your daughter has cancer.” These are words I have prayed I would never hear; but on Thursday morning, I did. It has been quite an experience to share our life with the people of this ministry over these last many years. You have prayed and encouraged us through the many trials with our daughter, Stacey, and then again last year with the sickness and death of my sister. I suppose this is where Christianity and all of its associated theology becomes real. So, here we go again.
Our twelve year old daughter, Kaylee, has not been feeling well since Christmas. At first we thought it was a mild case of the flu; then, since she was having stomach pain, we thought perhaps she developed an allergy to dairy products. We treated and made changes but the symptoms continued. After checking her for various bacterial infections as well as the possibility of parasites from a recent mission trip, all with negative results, my wife requested an ultrasound which was accomplished last Monday.
The Doctor saw a mass over her right ovary and requested a blood test; we received the results on Thursday morning. Kaylee has been diagnosed with a somewhat rare form of Germ Cell Ovarian Cancer. We will travel to MD Anderson in Houston sometime this week for surgery and then most likely follow with a few rounds of chemotherapy. We believe the cancer is relatively well contained but has grown fast to a diameter of 13 cm. She will definitely have one ovary removed but we will not know what else until the middle of surgery. Your prayers are appreciated.
One thing I have learned over the years in this ministry is that on any given day there are people all around the world facing trials; experiencing pain. Pain is not localized to one part of the world; it is universal. The pain may be related to finances, or health, or relationships, or in some cases a terribly sad combination. The pain may be caused by bad personal choices or the bad, or even evil, choices of others. But no matter what the cause, the same question of “Why?” often rises to the surface. “Why is God causing, or allowing, this to happen? What could possibly be His purpose for such pain?”
I now believe these questions are the result of bad, or poorly understood, theology. God does not bring pain! He does not bring sickness or death; He does not bring tornadoes, droughts, or floods; He does not bring the loss of a job or the loss of a spouse; and He certainly does not bring mass shootings or fly planes into buildings. These things are NOT from God! But He does have a purpose.
Our Biblical history tells us there are times when God dramatically intervenes and directly causes events to occur, sometimes good and sometimes not so good. He has the ability to direct even the most minor of details, and sometimes He does. But this is certainly not how we see God normally operate in the world. His general mode and method seems to be to have set things in motion and to then make Himself available for a relationship. God established the motion of the stars and then left them to continue on their way. When He created man, He created in His image but allowed for the possibility of choices, both good and bad. These choices have lead to a beautiful but fallen world; beautiful but fallen people. This world, as well as its people, result in a great deal of pain. Pain is with us, but it is not from God; and God has never promised to remove our pain. But He does have a purpose!
Romans 5:1-5
“Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
God’s purpose? His purpose in pain is the same as His purpose in joy; His purpose in tragedy is the same as His purpose in a colorful sunset; His purpose is that we are “conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). His purpose is that we walk with Him, hand in hand, learning to trust Him and love Him through ALL things, both good and bad. His plan and purpose is a relationship! No, God is not the cause of this cancer. Tragedy is not part of His perfect plan. But our Heavenly Father is being a wonderful comfort to each member of our family, moment by moment! And we know that as we walk through this trial, with Him, learning to trust Him and drawing closer to His side, we will surely be accomplishing His purpose in pain.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
**** Reading Plan ****
Jan 28 Exodus 5:22-7:25; Matthew 18:23-19:12; Psalm 23:1-6; Proverbs 5:22-23
http://gdwm.org/index.php/resources/
154.63 miles in 2013 : Goal 1509 miles
Stay strong by trusting in the Lord. I’m sorry you and you family are going through this effect of sin but know that God is there with you and so are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Even the ones you’ve never met!
I am very sorry to hear that news, but I believe that Our Lord Jesus is greatest to all issues, I pray to Jesus to heal that girl and be free for ever in her life. Also I advice to find the Anointing water from T, B. Joshua Ministries, as I believe that there are highest power of God in that water. God bless you.
Steve and family,
For several years now, you have been an encouragement to me. Now, it must be my turn to encourage you. Cancer is such a frightening word, my husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2008. Fortunately, it has been only “smouldering” until last summer, when he got compression fractures in his lower neck & has since had some chemo. I often wondered how people dealt with the “c” diagnosis, and have learned it is all about turning your focus towards the Son, because then you won’t see the shadows. Scriptures, Dueteronomy 31:6 and Joshua 1:9 – God has COMMANDED us to not fear!! Those verses are on our refrigerator. How humbling. Then, I love Isaiah 41:10 as The Message translates it: “Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear, for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” What comfort in the midst of the storms. Praying for Kaylee and you and your family to stand strong.
As the previous post stated, you have been a blessing to me and my family since 1999, when I found your post while seeking encouragement at my work. Since that time, I have shared your messages with family, friends, and my community. God has given you such a wonderful discernment of the Word of God and it has deepened my understanding of the Bible and more importantly Jesus’ love for us. I pray for you and your family right now and ask that the Holy Spirit give you the peace, strength, and power to endure this challenging time. God’s grace is sufficient! Your walk is living testimony of trusting God and I KNOW that “he will not leave you nor foresaken you at this time”.
Your Brother in Christ,
Lawrence
Solo decirle que sus meditaciones han sido de mucha ayuda en mi vida y en la vida de muchas personas a las cuales cada día las reenvío y me dan testimonio de eso y
hoy aun a pesar de su situación Dios pone palabras en su corazón de aliento y Esperanza eso solo lo puede sentir un corazón sujeto a la voluntad de Dios
me uno a los muuuuuuuuchos hermanos que a partir de este momento estaremos
orando por la salud de Kaylee , y también por la fortaleza de ustedes como padres
porque que mas podemos hacer? Solo Dios tiene el control de todo y cumplirá su propósito en ustedes .
Dear Steve and family l do understand what you are going through l have just lost my lovely sweet aunt because of the same disease 2 days now the paid so just to much for us to bare but amidest the paid God gave me a verse psalms 59:16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my stronghold, my refuge in times of trouble. Just be strong God can do beyond what you can think and imagine.
Thanks
Florence
Over the years, through the daily devotional, you have made me see God and His hand in my life. Your messages have given me hope and made me believe that with God all things are possible. I am believing God for Kaylee’s total healing in the name of Jesus, on your behalf. He sent His word to heal all manner of disease including cancer. And so Kaylee is healed because His word is going to be fulfiled tomorrow when surgery takes place.
You are a great man of God and He will not leave you nor forsake you. Take comfort knowing that we are praying with you during this time but only so that we testify the goodness of the Lord.
God’s grace is sufficient for you now!
see my message above. I hope Steve and family are strengthened in the inner man by the word of God which he (Steve) lavishily shares with us daily.
My heart is broken as I read this letter you have written. All my life I have experienced much pain beginning with growing up in a family that was unsaved and then at the age of 13 I accepted Christ and then I had someone to lean on. I am not very good with words but I have learned that it doesn’t matter who you are or how much money you have, everyone will experience pain. I have learned to be happy in the good times and lean on my Savior in the bad times. No words will comfort you, but the Spirit within you will carry you during this time. My prayer is your precious little daughter will be healed completely and I am sure this will turn into a testimony of who God is in your life and will create a thrist in many lifes to know Him too.
Brother Be strong in the Lord…..
GOD is our Refuge and Strength,
an Ever-Present Help in trouble …. Psalm 46:1….
O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for YOU. Be our Strength every morning,
our Salvation in time of distress. – Isaiah 33:2–3
Kaylee’s is in our prayers , stay focussed on Jesus, He is the Healer Ame!!!!
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Troxel,
My prayers are with you and your family. I know you trust and believe in your doctors, But also know this; that we serve an awesome God, and HE is in full control. Trust God. He also said he would never leave us nor forsake us. I really wished I could visit with your daughter, I work across the street at Texas Children’s Hospital. But prayers are so much better. I’ll continue to pray God’s will for her young life.
Be Blessed……..Lynn
Hello Steve,
I have been encouraged and edified by your daily devotions over the years.
They have been instrumental in seeking for a renewed mind in the going on 5 years that I have been saved.
Apart from standing on the promises of God, you just continue to remain focused on God and faithful.
Pray without ceasing, worship continually and be encouraged that your brothers and sisters are standing in the gap for you and your family………………..
Be encouraged!
I am grateful and thankful that our Abba Jesus revealed answered to our utmost pain within
through other sources from others. I have read testimonies from many people who used
Food Supplements from 4Life Research and recovered from their sicknesses. These food
supplements from 4LifeResearch will strengthen and balance the immune system to fight off and kill the virus and diseases out from the body.
So, please check http://www.4life.com for Transfer Factor Plus and Rio Vida Juice. I am also
praying with you for God to help us.
Mr & mrs Troxel,Am deepily touched by your daughters illness.I know what parents feel when they get news of this nature so believe me I understand what you are going through.Today 5th February is a special date in my life so Idedicate it to the successful operation of Kaylee.May the Almighty God who is the giver of life and keeper of all spare parts of our body be there directing the Surgeons to do the right things.Psalm 19v34 says ‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him/her out of them all’ Pray also for Regina Chimera my sister in Christ who was also diagonized with Cancer of the Cervix last October and is patiently waiting for the Govt.to send her to a Country which can help her. Romans 8 v 35 asks us “What can separate us from the Lve of GOD pain,affliction,death etc?To a believer like you and family you cant let anything do that.So,May God hold your hands as you await the results of the operation.AMEN!
I am so sorry steve and family. God is with you and he is always God. He sees what you are going through. This is a spiritual warfare the devil is defeated he wants you to loose your vision on God dont allow this to happen Kaylee gona be healed and she will be cancer free. Give her alot of carrots juice raw vegs lemon, beat roots and note this should be flesh. God will make a way for you he is a God of impossibilities. He blessed Abraham and fulfilled his promises he will do it for your family.
I am sorry to hear this news on your daughter. You have saved GOD for long time, though we don’t know you, but we know you throgh the message of GOD that you are true servant of GOD. Job passed through trials and he did not change his faith remained strong, satan always put afflication to people in order to make them change their faith (Job 1: 9-11: 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face), he has tested your faith, he found that you are strong, now he is touching your body. Last year when your sister died your message strengthened me, I saw how strong you are in faith (Job 19:25-26: 25. And me, that I might know my Redeemer alive, And that in the end He will arise upon the dust,26. And that after my body, this might be restored, And in my flesh I should see God). GOD be with you as you pass through this, we will pray for your daughter and your family. GOD be with you and bless you in all corners.
David said He heal all our deseases nothing is possible with Him I pray that this situation will turn into testimony Kyle will get her complete healing she will not die she will live and declare the goodness of the LORD in Jesus name I pray.