Trials

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

- James, the half-brother of Jesus, James 1:2-8

Many of you have walked with me through my cancer journey, for which I am eternally grateful.

I was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer) seven years ago and had my right kidney removed. I later learned that the cancer had metastasized to my lungs and adrenal glands, which created an opportunity (if you want to call it that), to literally live out the words of James 1:2-8. I made the choice to be joyful in my circumstances, even after a mass was removed from my spine (2017), and surgery took place in 2018 to repair an abdominal hernia (caused by the removal of my kidney), which, unfortunately, did not take.

Now, five years later, following numerous side effects from the cancer treatment that had prevented a second attempt at repairing the abdominal hernia, we were finally able to schedule a surgery date (July 26). With both a general and plastic surgeon working together, the goal was to repair the hernia and eliminate the basketball-sized outgrowth in my mid-section. No longer would I have little boys asking if I have a baby in my belly, and my grandson, Emery, would not pull my shirt out and ask, “What’s that, Pops?” Just try to explain a hernia to a three-year-old. And, I won’t have a young lady (all in fun) offer to throw me a baby shower.

Surgery did take place July 26. It was successful in that things were put back where they belong, muscles were cut and moved to cover, and a mesh was applied to (hopefully) keep things in place for the long-term.

July 27-29 were horrendous days. The pain was excruciating. Like Job’s wife encouraged him to do in Job 2:9, there were times I wanted to curse God and die. Now, that is being honest!

Then, James 1:2-8 suddenly seemed to disappear from my mind… and death seemed like a plausible escape; Heaven was sounding really good.

Eventually I stopped, first to remind myself that I chose to have this surgery, then to thank God that I had the luxury of having this surgery and for it being successful.

On Sunday, July 30, I turned a corner for the good. The pain was not so intense and I could see a light at the end of the tunnel. A few days later, I am able to sit down and write this, praising God for His goodness, and thanking Him that trials produce perseverance, which when I lean into Him through them, lead to maturity.

I don’t know what you are up against, but I do know that every one of us is up against something. And while you may feel, at times, like cursing God and dying, know that He is faithful, He is walking the journey with you, and He will lead you to the other side.

His promise in Romans 8:28 is this:

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.

- Romans 8:28

His promise is not that we will always experience good, but that He will use our experiences for good, and He will grow us up in the process.  Friends, that is what is called a win/win.

Pastor Ken