Nothing Lasts Forever—especially Suffering

Nothing Lasts Forever—especially Suffering

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 1 Peter 5:10

Tanya hadn’t been on the schedule the last time I looked, so I was surprised to see her name penciled in as the last patient of the day. I knocked on the door and entered the exam room. When she saw me, she started to cry.

“What’s going on?” I asked, sitting in the chair beside her. She looked tired and thin. “Why are you so sad?”

“I’m not sure I can take another day of this chemo/radiation treatment. I’m only on week three, and it already feels like forever. The oncologist says I need eight weeks, but I don’t think I can make it that long. I’m sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.”

“Can you tell me more about what’s going on?”

“First thing every morning, I throw up everything I ate for dinner the night before. I feel horrible, but I can’t go back to bed. I have to get in the car and drive forty-five minutes for another treatment. I’ve not only lost my hair, but I’ve lost my appetite. I feel like I’ve also lost my life!”

“What you’re describing isn’t unusual. Many people suffer similar side effects. I know it seems unbearable when you’re in the middle of it. I’ve had other patients with the same kind of cancer and the same treatment, and they felt just like you do right now. But they kept fighting, and they made it through, and now they have their lives back.”

“I guess I just needed to hear that there’s hope, and that this will all be worth it.”

“I know you can’t see the end yet, but this treatment shows promise. Let’s pray for strength and restoration for your body and your spirit.”

Tanya and I prayed together, and she seemed reassured and committed to seeing the treatment through.

Suffering in any form is hard to take, but it helps to know that it won’t last forever. Even in this broken world, our suffering is only for a little while.

TODAY’S RX

When life is hard, take one step at a time and watch for God’s faithfulness in the journey.

Give me strength and energy today, God, to do all that is required of me. Help me to manage my stress and have a positive outlook on my work and responsibilities.