A thought...

Still working on the book. Here's a thought...

Did God CAUSE Jan’s cancer? In our testimonies, both Jan and I say that God “allowed” our cancers, but did not “cause” them. However, in our private talk, we left room for the possibility that God, in His sovereignty, may have caused them. And that was OK.

“If a calamity occurs in a city has not the Lord done it?” (Amos 3:6). “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him dumb or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?” (Exodus 4:11). “The One forming light and creating darkness, causing peace and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these” (Isaiah 45:7). Concerning a blind man, Jesus said, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:3).

When the storms of life roll in and the winds of adversity blow hard, our natural assumption is that such events are destructive. But remember the illustration of the eagle. Storms bring needed rain that nourishes the ground that supports the life that the eagle feeds upon. Strong winds effortlessly lift the eagle above the harassment of other birds and allows the eagle to see more, to see further, to fly longer, and to fly faster.

We who “wait for the Lord will gain new strength” when we “mount up with wings like eagles…” (Isaiah 40:31). When we learn to see the benefits of our suffering, then it doesn’t really matter if the Lord allowed it or caused it, we can still “count it all joy when we encounter various trials” (James 1:2).

So what benefits could possibly come through Jan’s cancer? It has been the purpose of this book to help us see these. Jan’s faith was made stronger. My faith was made stronger. Our children’s faith was made stronger. And many of you have said that your faith was made stronger. And without such faith, “it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). Such faith is the basis of our rewards in eternity, which should be our desire anyway, and not a comfortable life on this hell-destined earth.

Cancer was Jan’s megaphone to proclaim an uncommon faith. Whether God allowed it or caused it, cancer was Jan’s platform to declare God’s goodness despite outward circumstances, a message that would have had far less impact had cancer not been present.

Unfortunately, our faith often fails in the fiery furnace of adversity, because we choose not to believe in God’s goodness, His trustworthiness, His eternal purposes. Perhaps we think of ourselves as good (though none are – Romans 3: 10-12) and focus too much on earthly goals such as a comfortable house, a prosperous job, a secure retirement, or even a happy family.

If we respond correctly, suffering can be our best classroom for learning character – endurance, patience, compassion, forgiveness, humility, obedience, contentment, loyalty, love, and many others. Because “tribulation brings about perseverance, and perseverance, proven character” (Romans 5: 3-4), can’t we, like Jan, welcome trials as our golden opportunity to make our testimony “mature and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4)?

The hurts, struggles, and disappointments Jan encountered because of cancer at such a relatively young age are what magnified her character, highlighted her faith, and made her unwavering trust in God’s goodness stand out. If the cancer had waited until she was a 70 year old retired missionary with no dependent children, it is doubtful her testimony would have been as powerful.

So did God merely allow Jan’s cancer, or did He cause it? I don’t know; Jan didn’t know either. And it didn’t matter to either of us, because our response would be the same either way. Whether Satan caused it and God allowed it, as happened in Job’s case, or God planned it and caused it, we have complete trust in God’s goodness to use it for our eternal benefit and His ultimate glory. The moment we enter heaven, with all its splendor and faith-earned rewards, we will be eternally grateful that God did it His way. “Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life… so I will bless Thee as long as I live” (Psalm 63: 3-4).