Hi,
As I looked over that stats on this blog, I saw someone had located My Journey to Joy by entering the key words "finding encouragement." They were linked to my earlier blog about finding encouragement on the Internet. I wonder if this helped them. It recounted how I was in pain from carcinoid and looked on my computer for some hope. I didn't mention that I had come here with a prayer in my heart that God would lead me to something that would work for me.
My earlier posting recounted how I found a blog belonging to a Christian carcinoid patient: dgwhealthnews.blogspot.com. I was encouraged to find this because it meant I was not alone. Also, Dennis G.W. writes such an excellent email called "The Encourager" which is attached to his blog. I hope that reader went on to read Dennis' blog.
I can't go back and fix the past, but I can offer some encouragement here. One time when I felt like my cancer battle had me wandering in the wilderness, I had prayed hard for help. The next morning I was making a cup of tea, and to my amazement a preacher on TV spoke exactly to my situation. I didn't even know who he was. I had turned on the TV to see the news, and God sent me the word I needed.
It was a sermon that referenced Psalm 57. In this psalm David had fled from Saul and was hiding in a cave. David had been anointed the next King of Israel while Saul was still the current King. David writes:
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
for in You my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
Until the disaster has passed.
I cry out to God Most High
to God, Who fulfills His purpose for me.
He sends from the heavens and saves me
rebuking those who hotly pursue me;
God sends His love and His faithfulness.
I am in the midst of lions;
I lie among ravenous beasts--
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
They spread a net for my feet--
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path--
but they themselves have fallen into it.
My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of You among the peoples.
For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let Your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 57: 1-11
A psalm of David.
NIV except that I capitalize pronouns refering to God, and the NIV does not.
Other Psalms of encouragement include 40, 91 and many more. That preacher that I just happened to find on TV was Joel Osteen. At that time I did not know who he was. God just made sure I was there to hear what he had to say.
Thanks,
Sharon
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