God is still with us during our trials, tribulations and traumas. It sometimes may feel and look like He is not. Yet, we learn like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, God is with us even in the fiery furnace! We know the story of these three Hebrew boys who refused to bow to the pressures of a king in a foreign land they were now living by force.
In many ways our lives mimic these three Hebrew boys. Heaven is our home for those of us who belong to God. We are only passing through this land that we live in now. That is why Paul reminded us to continue to renew our minds every day (Romans 12:2). Additionally, he said we must live in this world, but not conform to it.
Recently, I had a dear aunt pass away. She received a diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer in November. While I was away traveling, she left a message on my answering machine to call her. Briefly, she explained she was visiting my cousin, her daughter, and got sick. A number was given to call. She did not go into any more details. The message she left sounded strong and well.
When I returned home, I called her. She then gave me the details of her diagnosis. She referred to it as a nightmare. Previously, she had spent a year or more taking care of my uncle. He was in the hospital and rehab during this time. It took them some time to figure out what was going on with him. He had surgery, then he was in rehab. I witnessed my aunt go every day either to the hospital or rehab taking care of my uncle.
I would visit or call to check on them. I offered anything I could do for them. Finally, my uncle came home! He was great; she was great! Everything was great, we thought. In October, I took them over a meal. They both were so lively and talkative. They came out to my car and stood for several minutes just talking away. Then the diagnosis for my aunt comes the next month.
When I talked to my aunt, I told her her healing had already taken place. When Jesus died He took care of it all, including our healing. It is up to us to walk it out and let God do it His way. The healing could come on this side or on the side in Heaven. Either way, God will take care of you.
One of Satan’s lies is if God does not do things we want Him to do, then God is a counterfeit. It is a lie that comes from hell. Paul talks about being content in staying in this world and being content in being with the Lord (Philippians 4:11-13). The Bible says when we die we are absent from the body and present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 2: 5:8). We have to remember either way we trust God for what He allows in our lives.
We prayed that God would keep my aunt with us. God saw best to bring her home with Him. I know my aunt has a big smile on her face with our Savior. It was sad to lose her. She was very supportive and encouraging to everything I would do since I was a child. I have so many fond memories of both her and my uncle.
During her celebration of life ceremony, my cousin, her son, stood up to say while his mother was battling cancer, she was still asking people she came in contact with did they have personal relationship with Jesus Christ… What a testimony! What a black eye she gave Satan! When He tried to take her down, she still stood on her faith and belief!
When my cousin shared that it was very uplifting. That was a blessing to hear. She was still making an impact for God’s kingdom. We cannot always understand why God does things the way that He does. I will miss my aunt especially when she just popped up at many of my events. More comforting, I know God knows what is BEST for us. I have no doubt my aunt is HAPPY with our Lord right now. I know I will see her again, like my other loved ones who are with our Lord and Savior. God can bring blessings out of tragedy. Love & Blessings!