So I read the most awesome email forward from a friend this morning. Seems she and several others have a mutual friend just diagnosed with prostate cancer. He is a pastor and just has the most wonderful outlook on the whole thing. He wrote a letter entitled " Don't waste your cancer". Basically he said whatever we are suffering, mild or wild, it is by God's design. He wants it to grow your faith, to bring you closer to Him, to deepen your walk with Him and look forward to eternity with Him. We can waste our trials by focusing on the negatives, trying our hardest to avoid them, or seeking the fast exit. We short circuit ourselves if we do that. Feeling sorry for ourselves in our trials is exactly what the enemy is hoping we will do. That self-pity is what leads us to all kinds of self destruction. And isn't he happy when our testimony is destroyed.

So when we face various trials, "count it all joy". I know God doesn't mean for us to be ecstatic or fake. He knows we are in pain. He just wants us to turn to Him instead of the usual painkillers-drugs, alcohol, overspending, depression, pornography, whatever. There are millions of devices out there. A fair amount of us have been down those roads and we know where they lead...addiction, loss of family support, loss of friends, job, money, self-respect, etc. the list goes on and on. So...God says, "come to me all you who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28. Funny but when I chose to deaden my pain with anything other than God, I never felt at rest. I want His rest. His rest is peace. It's a peace that has no explanation. He is the giver of that peace and it can't be found anywhere else!

Blessings to you all today!

Kathy