Patience and Perseverance
May 8, 2011
Last week Dennis had an appointment with both the oncologist, Dr. Zel, and the surgeon, Dr. Pigazzi. Dr. Zel shared with Dennis that he had initially been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. We had never really been told that before, so didn’t realize just how advanced the cancer was. As Dr. Zel looked over the results of the biopsy from surgery, he shared that he had another patient who is also on the same treatment protocol as Dennis and who is also having good results. He made a comment that the protocol is “magic”. Dennis said it was a miracle. We were discussing all of this later while waiting for the surgeon. It is interesting how people choose to view outcomes. The doctors give credit to the medicine. We choose to give all the glory to God. We know that God can heal people instantly- miraculously; and we know He can heal through medicine. But ultimately, He is the Great Physician. As we have let it soak in how real and dangerous this cancer was, we are even more grateful for how God has chosen to intervene in Dennis’ life.
Our next appointment was a long wait - again! I guess God is working on our patience. While Dr. Stamos is a “go-getter”, Dr. Pigazzi is more conservative. Dr. Stamos had led us to believe Dennis could have surgery this week. Dr. Pigazzi, however, said we should wait until 6 weeks at the earliest (maybe 8!) to let the surgery site heal completely. I must say this was disheartening! The earliest date available is Tuesday, May 24. The surgery will be an hour and a half laparoscopic procedure. He will look at the surgery site first to be sure it looks healed. If not, he won’t continue. Needless to say, this is a big matter of prayer.
Early last week I had the flu and spent two days in bed. Dennis was well enough to care for the kids, but by the end of the week he was in discomfort again. It has continued and he seemed worse today. I feel like God is also working on our perseverance. As tired as Dennis is of hurting; I am getting worn down seeing him hurt and doing the work of two. It is a little depressing in fact to have him home, but not able to participate in family life. The kids and I carry on as normal without expecting him to be able to join us. While I know the solitude at times is more restful, I know he wishes he could join in. I don’t like that I am getting used to this. I admit that I am anxious to get our life back.
This morning our pastor taught about persecution in Matthew 5:10-12. He made the statement that the Christian life is not easy. Jesus warned us that we would have tribulation (John 16:33). Whether we are being persecuted specifically for our faith, or we are enduring hardships of this world, we have the benefit of the Lord’s work in our lives to help us endure. I spent some time studying the concepts of patience and perseverance tonight and this is what I found the most encouraging:
James 1:2-4 says, “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 may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Warren Wiersbe writes in his New Testament Commentary that “outlook determines outcome, and attitude determines action. . . We cannot always expect everything to go our way. Some trials come simply because we are human - sickness, accidents, disappointments, even seeming tragedies. Other trials come because we are Christians. . . The trials of life are not all alike; they are like variegated yarn that the weaver uses to make a beautiful rug. God arranges and mixes the colors and experiences of life. The final product is a beautiful thing for His glory. . . When we face the trials of life, we must evaluate them in the light of what God is doing for us. This explains why the dedicated Christian can have joy in the midst of trials: he lives for the things that matter most. . . Our values determine our evaluations. If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us. If we value the material and physical more than the spiritual, we will not be able to ‘count it all joy.’ If we live only for the present and forget the future, then trials will make us bitter, not better. . .Look at trials through the eyes of faith. Outlook determines outcome; to end with joy, begin with joy.”
He goes on to say that “faith is always tested. . . God always tests us to bring out the best. . . Testing works for us, not against us. . . God’s approval of our faith is precious because it assures us that our faith is genuine. ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good’ (Romans 8:28). . . Trials rightly used help us to mature. What does God want to produce in our lives? Patience, endurance, and the ability to keep going when things are tough (Romans 5:3-4). In the Bible, patience is not a passive acceptance of circumstances, it is a courageous perseverance in the face of suffering and difficulty. Immature people are always impatient; mature people are patient and persistent. Impatience and unbelief usually go together, just as faith and patience do. . . God wants to make us patient because that is the key to every other blessing. . . When the believer learns to wait on the Lord, then God can do great things for him. . . The only way God can develop patience and character in our lives is through trials. Endurance (must be learned through the difficulties of life, trusting God, and obeying Him.)
And finally, Wiersbe writes, “God cannot build our character without our cooperation. . . God wants a perfect work; He wants a finished product that is mature and complete. . . God must work in us before He can work through us. . . The mature person does not argue with God’s will; instead, he accepts willingly and obeys it joyfully. . . If we try to go through trials without surrendered will, we will end up more like immature children than mature adults. . . God uses trials to wean us away from childish things; but if we do not surrender to Him, we will become even more immature.”
We both desire to be mature, so we accept this time of testing, knowing that we are going to grow through it. Admittedly, it is not always with joy in the present; but at those times we focus on the future joy of life beyond cancer treatment.
To finish up, we would ask that you would continue to pray
*for Dennis’ daily comfort
*for his complete healing at the surgery site
*for the ostomy reversal to be able to take place on May 24 as planned
*for the surgery to go well
*for Dennis’ recovery from this next surgery to be easy.
*for God’s work of patience and perseverance to continue in us
Thank you so much for persevering on this journey with us through your prayers. God is good and is at work in us. We will finish the race!
Running with endurance!
Carolyn
Last week Dennis had an appointment with both the oncologist, Dr. Zel, and the surgeon, Dr. Pigazzi. Dr. Zel shared with Dennis that he had initially been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. We had never really been told that before, so didn’t realize just how advanced the cancer was. As Dr. Zel looked over the results of the biopsy from surgery, he shared that he had another patient who is also on the same treatment protocol as Dennis and who is also having good results. He made a comment that the protocol is “magic”. Dennis said it was a miracle. We were discussing all of this later while waiting for the surgeon. It is interesting how people choose to view outcomes. The doctors give credit to the medicine. We choose to give all the glory to God. We know that God can heal people instantly- miraculously; and we know He can heal through medicine. But ultimately, He is the Great Physician. As we have let it soak in how real and dangerous this cancer was, we are even more grateful for how God has chosen to intervene in Dennis’ life.
Our next appointment was a long wait - again! I guess God is working on our patience. While Dr. Stamos is a “go-getter”, Dr. Pigazzi is more conservative. Dr. Stamos had led us to believe Dennis could have surgery this week. Dr. Pigazzi, however, said we should wait until 6 weeks at the earliest (maybe 8!) to let the surgery site heal completely. I must say this was disheartening! The earliest date available is Tuesday, May 24. The surgery will be an hour and a half laparoscopic procedure. He will look at the surgery site first to be sure it looks healed. If not, he won’t continue. Needless to say, this is a big matter of prayer.
Early last week I had the flu and spent two days in bed. Dennis was well enough to care for the kids, but by the end of the week he was in discomfort again. It has continued and he seemed worse today. I feel like God is also working on our perseverance. As tired as Dennis is of hurting; I am getting worn down seeing him hurt and doing the work of two. It is a little depressing in fact to have him home, but not able to participate in family life. The kids and I carry on as normal without expecting him to be able to join us. While I know the solitude at times is more restful, I know he wishes he could join in. I don’t like that I am getting used to this. I admit that I am anxious to get our life back.
This morning our pastor taught about persecution in Matthew 5:10-12. He made the statement that the Christian life is not easy. Jesus warned us that we would have tribulation (John 16:33). Whether we are being persecuted specifically for our faith, or we are enduring hardships of this world, we have the benefit of the Lord’s work in our lives to help us endure. I spent some time studying the concepts of patience and perseverance tonight and this is what I found the most encouraging:
James 1:2-4 says, “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 may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Warren Wiersbe writes in his New Testament Commentary that “outlook determines outcome, and attitude determines action. . . We cannot always expect everything to go our way. Some trials come simply because we are human - sickness, accidents, disappointments, even seeming tragedies. Other trials come because we are Christians. . . The trials of life are not all alike; they are like variegated yarn that the weaver uses to make a beautiful rug. God arranges and mixes the colors and experiences of life. The final product is a beautiful thing for His glory. . . When we face the trials of life, we must evaluate them in the light of what God is doing for us. This explains why the dedicated Christian can have joy in the midst of trials: he lives for the things that matter most. . . Our values determine our evaluations. If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us. If we value the material and physical more than the spiritual, we will not be able to ‘count it all joy.’ If we live only for the present and forget the future, then trials will make us bitter, not better. . .Look at trials through the eyes of faith. Outlook determines outcome; to end with joy, begin with joy.”
He goes on to say that “faith is always tested. . . God always tests us to bring out the best. . . Testing works for us, not against us. . . God’s approval of our faith is precious because it assures us that our faith is genuine. ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good’ (Romans 8:28). . . Trials rightly used help us to mature. What does God want to produce in our lives? Patience, endurance, and the ability to keep going when things are tough (Romans 5:3-4). In the Bible, patience is not a passive acceptance of circumstances, it is a courageous perseverance in the face of suffering and difficulty. Immature people are always impatient; mature people are patient and persistent. Impatience and unbelief usually go together, just as faith and patience do. . . God wants to make us patient because that is the key to every other blessing. . . When the believer learns to wait on the Lord, then God can do great things for him. . . The only way God can develop patience and character in our lives is through trials. Endurance (must be learned through the difficulties of life, trusting God, and obeying Him.)
And finally, Wiersbe writes, “God cannot build our character without our cooperation. . . God wants a perfect work; He wants a finished product that is mature and complete. . . God must work in us before He can work through us. . . The mature person does not argue with God’s will; instead, he accepts willingly and obeys it joyfully. . . If we try to go through trials without surrendered will, we will end up more like immature children than mature adults. . . God uses trials to wean us away from childish things; but if we do not surrender to Him, we will become even more immature.”
We both desire to be mature, so we accept this time of testing, knowing that we are going to grow through it. Admittedly, it is not always with joy in the present; but at those times we focus on the future joy of life beyond cancer treatment.
To finish up, we would ask that you would continue to pray
*for Dennis’ daily comfort
*for his complete healing at the surgery site
*for the ostomy reversal to be able to take place on May 24 as planned
*for the surgery to go well
*for Dennis’ recovery from this next surgery to be easy.
*for God’s work of patience and perseverance to continue in us
Thank you so much for persevering on this journey with us through your prayers. God is good and is at work in us. We will finish the race!
Running with endurance!
Carolyn
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