In the message “Our Perfect Destiny” we saw that our perfect path is the one in which we obediently follow God one step after the other. There are oftentimes dramatic diversions in our journey, which I do not believe are necessarily caused by God. However, I still believe that God uses these diversions to direct us down our perfect path as we continue to trust and follow Him in obedience, even in the midst of pain.
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
The following is a message my sixteen year old daughter wrote this week. It is a wonderful example of how God can use our trials to shape us into the image of His Son. To me, this is a testimony of how God is continually in the process of working all things for good.
*** Message By Kayee Troxel ***
Hello everyone! I’m sure most of you have heard parts of my story from my Dad’s messages, but I wanted to take some time to share my testimony, and how recent events have affected it.
As many of you know, nearly four years ago I was diagnosed and treated for stage three ovarian cancer. That was a horrible time. At that point, I didn’t have a true relationship with God. It was hard for me to see any moments of happiness when I was sick and there were many times when I felt like I couldn’t make it through one more day. I was weak and depressed for a long time, but eventually it passed, and I began recovering. The summer after I was finished treatment was peaceful and full of joy, like taking a breath of fresh air. But as the summer came to an end, I knew I would have to go back to the hospital for follow up tests.
The day before returning to the hospital, I was so afraid. Thinking about going back and facing all those fears and memories was petrifying. It was in that moment that I finally broke and cried out to God for help. The thought of going through the rest of my life without God was and is terrifying to me. I realized that I needed God more than I needed anything else in the world. Without Him, I am still a weak, sickly child, but when He is with me, no matter how dark a situation I might be in, His love continues to break through. He walked by my side all that day, and the follow up tests showed that I was cancer free.
Soon after, I qualified for a trip through Make-A-Wish, which is an organization that gives money to kids with health problems to help “make their dreams come true.” Eventually, I decided I wanted to visit the pediatric cancer ward at Queen Elizabeth hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. We would hopefully interview some doctors and nurses and learn about any special challenges with treating cancer in Malawi. The goal would be to collect information and raise awareness about the needs of the hospital. I am incredibly thankful that I was given the opportunity to go on this trip because so much good has already come out of it.
Going into the trip, there were a lot of uncertainties. We didn’t know how we were going to travel around Blantyre. We didn’t know if we were going to be able to talk to people in the hospital. And, keep in mind, being in a country so far from home was an entirely new experience for my mom and me. I had all these plans and hopes going in. I wanted to make this trip worthwhile, but instead of being in control, I had to surrender it to God and trust that he would work things out.
But wow, God is good. He provided everything I could have hoped for. We had such a successful trip. We were able to collect a lot of information about the hospital, and there are so many opportunities for service. I met several young girls in the hospital who had the same type of ovarian cancer as me. They were in the middle of treatment, and God gave me the opportunity to show them that there is hope for recovery.
My experience with cancer might have been hard, but it is nothing compared to what the children in Malawi and under-resourced areas go through. I was extremely blessed to be treated at an excellent hospital with enough resources and equipment, but not everyone is as fortunate. My heart aches for the children that have the same disease that I did but will rarely survive because of lack of early diagnosis or testing equipment.
On the last day the main oncology doctor said to me one thing that has stuck in my mind. He said, “Now you see that your pain and suffering has been used to help other people.” This blows my mind, but I can see it so clearly. God has used me for His plans. This trip would never have happened if I hadn’t had cancer. God used the pain I went through and has given me the opportunity to bring good to other people. He is working in my life and using me for His glory. This terrible thing that happened to me four years ago is now being used to help others.
Now I know that He is telling me to be active in this plan. I need to spread the word about the hospital’s needs. Hopefully, I can eventually set up funding for a project to support things like cancer nurses, food for patients, and cancer education in many of the rural areas.
I know I’m still young and have a lot to learn, but I want to leave you all with this message. God has a plan for your life. He has a perfect, beautiful plan. You might not know your whole story, and you will see darkness at times. But no darkness lasts with God. The joy that He brings afterwards is more beautiful than you could possibly imagine.
*** End of Message by Kaylee Troxel ***
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
**** Reading Plan ****
Oct 19 Jeremiah 33:1-34:22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 25:23-24
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