Peace in All Things

Submitted by Grace…

My sister and I spent about the past 6 weeks in Korea taking care of my mom fighting last stage of lung cancer. Through my time in Korea with my parents, I think God has taught me some lessons about what it looks like to live a life of faith and the key to living in peace regardless of the present circumstances.

One lesson that I learned is about the importance of guarding my heart through the word of God. My mom has shared with us about how she has been guarding her heart and mind through the Word of God and that is the only way that she is able to be at peace even though she has cancer. God has given her this verse in Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” & Philippians 4: 6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” My mom shared that she would have become depressed, filled with all kinds of worries and anxieties long ago, if she did not control her mind & thoughts with words from the Bible. She has disciplined her heart and mind in this way that even when she was hospitalized recently with a breathing tube, she said that she continued to think thoughts of God’s word. By this time, even when she wanted to think her own thoughts, she couldn’t, because the presence of God’s word was so strong. I thought about how my mind & thoughts go in all directions on a day to day experience, how I experience anxieties and restlessness as a result of that, and witnessing my mom at such peace & joy has caused me to want to develop this kind of discipline of the mind and heart through prayer and intentionally thinking about what God’s word says and what it means by meditation.

My mom has also been meditating a lot on faith verses. Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” I saw her not looking at the present circumstances (cancer, pain, continuing with chemo treatment, rude & unsympathetic doctors, the short amount of time given), but putting her trust in the unseen (promise of heaven, God’s character of love & his promises in the Bible). One way she has been exercising her faith is through obedience to the Word. If God says be joyful, she said she will try to rejoice and if God says be thankful, she will be thankful. She said that recently, as she has been praying through the actual words in the Bible as God convicts her, she has been so blessed. When she honestly told God I don’t know why I have cancer and it’s gotten worse, but I will still give thanks as you said, she was so moved that tears just flowed down. Another way that she exercises her faith is through COMPLETE trust in God’s word. As she has been worried & fearful about what is to come as she will start treatment with chemo injections starting this coming Monday, God has given her 1 Corinthians 10:13, about God giving her only what she will be able to handle and that he will provide a way out. She said that she will not doubt, but as she puts her complete trust in what God says, there is such peace and even joy.

She shared that God’s word is the only thing that gives her strength each day. It is true; I saw her living under the shadow of death but not being crushed under this reality because God’s word lifts her and carries her through. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me (Psalm 23).” As we recently did DT about the end times, and seeing my mom being sustained through God’s word daily, I was convicted that God’s word is one way that I too will be able to face the ever-darkening world and the difficult challenges of the end times. My mom shared that she was brought to mind Jesus overcoming all the temptations of the devil in the desert through the Word of God and that she needs to continue in this way of claiming God’s truth written in the word. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away (Mark 13:31).”

The way in which I was challenged and renewed in my understanding of living by faith is to trust in God’s promises DESPITE the present circumstances that may not be changing as I wish and the problems that persist. My understanding of faith used to be to put my trust in and keep praying that God change and fix the problems that needs to be fixed right in front of me: I wanted God to heal my mom completely, I wanted God to give us clear direction for my parents’ ministry, to solve problems and save us from the troubles that we are faced with. None of this has happened as we have been praying, but I saw no resentment or bitterness on the part of my parents, and I realized that my faith is not to be dependent on God changing these problems. FAITH is being sure of the hope that we have in God’s word, that one day it will all be fulfilled, and in the meantime living a life of obedience to what the Bible says we should do. It’s also being certain of what we do not see. I learned that living a life of faith is to trust in God, in his word and to do what it says even though problems are still there and my circumstances don’t change. Besides, there’s ultimately heaven, a sure and secure place for us no matter what may happen on this side of earth, and that God can work all things for good (Romans 8:28).

Another lesson that I learned is learning to give thanks in all circumstances. There’s always things that can be better and things that need to be fixed in life, and if I am to only focus on these lacks and what more I want to be done, then I will never be able to give thanks for what has already been done. Honestly, when we went in for my mom’s last CT scan and checkup, I was focused on the fact that she has to now start chemo injection rounds and that she has but a year to live, according to the diagnosis of the doctor, when there was also the good news that the cancer that has filled her lung a month ago has decreased significantly in size.  My mom was very happy, saying that she got her lung back, saying that medicine will do its job to the extent it can and God is the one who will do the rest. As Joyce shared with me that we should give thanks to God for what He has ALREADY done, I felt rebuked and realized the rightness about giving thanks (of course) for what he has already done: my mom’s cancer has decreased, that she has a year as opposed to 1 month to live, she can breathe so much better, stable enough to cook and wash dishes, able to talk more, and the way she challenges us to live a life of faith. Furthermore, we have been the recipient of so many people’s prayers, we received much care from the place in Gangwondo, got to experience God’s wonderful creation at Solrak mountain, and my aunt has provided food for us during our time there. I was also challenged by the way in which my dad was always giving thanks for little or any progress that my mom was making and details of his prayers of thanks. One day, after one of the trips to the mountains, my dad sat us down at home and prayed a prayer of thanks. He basically made a list of specific thanks: for my mom being able to stand and walk for 40 minutes, for her good appetite, for her breathing better, for the trees in the mountains, for the cable car we were able to get on for the view, for the comfortable lodging place, for the safe travels. My dad always gives thanks for safe travels and not getting into any accident almost every day. As Philippians 4:6-7 adds that we not only need to bring our requests and petitions to God, but also thanksgiving, I realized the importance of looking back and acknowledging God’s blessings and what he has already done.

Last lesson that I learned is about perseverance through suffering. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you many be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4).” One thing that I have seen in my parents over the years in their ministry, especially after the news of my mom’s cancer, is that of their persevering struggle to keep trusting God, in his word and his character. When my mom was in the hospital with a lot of pain recently for a week, Joyce and I saw her getting herself up at 4:30am still to pray on her bed (to keep her commitment to God that she will spend time in meditative prayer for 100 days).  I learned a bit about holding onto the unchanging character of God, as we recently did Bible reading in Psalms. It didn’t occur to me until this time around how much David and the psalmist held onto the names of God in their struggles, fears, and confusion and it helped me in my prayers as I faced similar emotions.

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (9:9)

“I love you Lord, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (18:1-2).

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?” (27:1).

God is Sovereign. God is good. God is faithful. God is our creator. God is also healer, so I will continue to pray for a miracle of healing, as I claim the following verses:

“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.” (James 5:15a).

“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:11)

“Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:25).

“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27).

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)

In sum, I witnessed God giving my mom just enough grace for each day. I am reminded of the hymn, “Day by Day”.

Day by Day with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,

I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives us to each day what He deems best

Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Everyday the Lord Himself is near me

With a special mercy for each house;

All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,

He whose name is Counselor and power.

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that Himself He laid;

“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”

This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation

So to trust They promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation

Offered me within thy holy Word.

Help me, Lord when toil and trouble meeting.

Ever to take, as from a father’s hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till I reach the promised land.

I feel confident and encouraged to know that God will lead each of us with enough grace for each day. God is good!