The Upper Room devotional reflection for Thursday, June 23, 2022 comes to us from Jamae of Oregon.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39 NIV
“Choosing a Perspective”
After seeing several physicians, I finally received my diagnosis. Sitting next to my mom in the tiny office, the doctor told me that the test and consultations were conclusive. I had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I remember feeling a great sense of hope and determination. Fear could have taken root, but I decided that God was greater than any sickness I could face – even cancer. I trusted that, whatever the outcome, God still loved me.
During that summer of treatment, I stayed in the Philippines with my mom while I finished the last of my required college classes online. Some days were uncomfortable, while other days felt mediocre; but I pushed through knowing that each day I visited the hospital was a new day of grace and mercy. Nine years later, I remain in remission. My journey taught me that we can choose how we approach challenges. It also showed me that the love of God is far more powerful than any sickness, doubt, worry, or fear. When we face challenges, we can choose to see them as opportunities to remember God’s faithfulness. And if we can’t remember specific moments from our lives, we can always recall God’s ultimate act of love in sending Jesus.
Friends –
I admire Jamae’s approach to this illness by choosing a positive and trusting attitude. It is a reminder, that by trusting God and working to maintain a hope-filled faith, we can experience God’s always-present grace with each and all of us. When we choose a positive attitude, our struggles and troubles can be shared with God, no matter how awful our circumstances might seem. I invite you to think about moments in your own life when a positive attitude was a helpful response to the challenges in your life.
--Pastor bea
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for your unconditional love. Help us to remember your faithfulness when we face challenges. Amen.
--Jamae
Prayer Focus:
People with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Thought for the Day:
What is one way God has been faithful in my life?