Encouragement

ENCOURAGEMENT

On the rough days, find ways to keep your spirits up. I love music and this is a song by Matthew West titled Strong Enough that encouraged me during my battle with breast cancer. Sometimes I would cry through the entire song, but it would encourage me that I didn’t have to be so strong—God was "Strong Enough".
First Day of Chemotherapy

The Lyrics

Lord, You must 

You must think I'm strong,

To give me what I'm going through


Well, forgive me

Forgive me if I'm wrong

But this looks like more than I can do

On my own.


I know I'm not strong enough to be, 

Everything that I'm supposed to be

I give up

I'm not strong enough

Hands of mercy won't you cover me

Lord right now I'm asking you to be

Strong enough

Strong enough

For the both of us


Well, maybe

Maybe that's the point

To reach the point of giving up,


'Cause when I'm finally

Finally at rock bottom

Well, that's when I start looking up

And reaching out


I know I'm not strong enough to be, 

Everything that I'm supposed to be

I give up

I'm not strong enough

Hands of mercy won't you cover me

Lord right now I'm asking you to be

Strong enough

Strong enough

For the both of us


'Cause I'm broken

Down to nothing 

But I'm still holding on to the one thing,

You are God 

And You are strong when, I am weak


I can do all things

Through Christ who gives me strength

And I don't have to be 

Strong enough 

Strong enough


I can do all things

Through Christ who gives me strength

And I don't have to be 

Strong enough 

Strong enough


I know I'm not strong enough to be

Everything that I'm supposed to be

I give up

I'm not strong enough 

Hands of mercy won't you cover me

Lord right now I'm asking you to be

Strong enough, Strong enough, Strong enough 

 
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Lean on God to get you through this battle. A few of the scripture verses that helped me were the following:


So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)


When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)


I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13  (NIV) 


If you ever need to talk to someone who has been there-done that, or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I feel that God brought me through my journey so that I can encourage and support others as they walk this difficult road. Please know that I will be praying for you during this process. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. My prayers will be for healing and that God will provide you and your family with peace that only He can provide and He will richly bless you as you maneuver through this difficult time.



Remember – NEVER GIVE UP—BECAUSE YOU ARE A SURVIVOR!! There is light at the end of the tunnel.




STRONG ENOUGH 

Words and Music by MATTHEW WEST

© 2010 SONGS OF SOUTHSIDE INDEPENDENT MUSIC PUBLISHING

SONGS FOR DELANEY and EXTERNAL COMBUSTION MUSIC

All Rights on behalf of itself and SONGS FOR DELANEY

Administered by SONGS OF SOUTHSIDE INDEPENDENT MUSIC PUBLISHING

All Rights Reserved

Used by Permission of ALFRED PUBLISHING, LLC

My Faith

My faith in Christ and His love for me, was what helped me face the rough days during my fight with breast cancer. There were days that I just wanted to give up, but my knowledge that God “will never leave you or forsake you” kept me strong. Don’t get me wrong – it is okay to question God because we don’t understand His plan, but God is big enough to take our fear, anger and frustration and love us through it.


I honestly believe that one of the reasons that God allowed me to have cancer was because He had this ministry in mind and He knew that I would want to love others through their journey – just like He loved me through my journey.


You too can have this love in your life by accepting Christ as your personal Savior. It is as simple as ABC:

     A - Admit

     B - Believe

     C - Confess


See these tabs for more details.

A – Admit

Admit that we are all sinners in need of a Savior.  Everyone has sin in their lives and the penalty for sin is death. Admitting this sin is the first step of repentance, which allows us to turn away from our selfish ways and turning toward God.


For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23 (NIV)

B – Believe

Believe that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, came to earth and died on a cross for our sins.  God loved us enough to allow His son to take on our sins and pay the price to bridge the gap between our sin and His forgiveness. 


For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

C – Confess

Confess that you want Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life.  Share your decision to accept Christ as Lord with your family members, contact your local Pastor/Church, or a Christian friend. They can help direct you as you continue on your path.


If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)