Is JOY possible in this journey?

Joy is a pretty important theme running throughout the Bible, appearing 179 times in 171 verses.

One such passage emphasizes that "the joy of the Lord is our strength".

I haven't felt it...

I've found peace in my weakness and pain in this cancer journey

Though I've lost and regained it a few times these last couple of weeks 

As I've continued to struggle since my last blog with the affects of the ongoing chemo

And its mounting impact on my body.

(The past two weeks have been HARD!)

But JOY?

I can't say that joy has been part of the equation.

It's like I have learned that I can be content in my weakness

Trusting and seeing that good is happening in the midst of the cancer evil

But...to have joy?

That just seemed like a stretch.

Of course, there are certainly moments of joy...

For example:

Two days ago to Facetime with our granddaughter, Lena, on her eighth birthday

And to witness and experience her joy with her.

Yesterday, to Zoom with my older sister, Deb, and husband, Mike, on her birthday 

And enjoy sharing memories both past and present

Some of which included the friendly rivalry of the 49ers and Seahawks!

And, then again yesterday, to spend the day with our youngest daughter, Stephanie

On her birthday eating Quiche and drinking Bailey's Irish Cream milkshakes!

Yes...there are certainly moments of joy

But, JOY IN the cancer journey...

Hmmm...is it possible?

Let's say, at this point, that I'm doing a lot of thinking about it and working on it!

Because peace is great

But...JOY adds another dimension, doesn't it?

That makes this journey not merely one of surviving, but thriving...

I like the sound of that!

So, how could it be possible?

I was reminded of the following verses from a remote little book at the end of the Old Testament

And they are GREAT and exactly what I needed in wrestling with this joy thing.

Take a look at them...they might be of encouragement to you also!

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (Message Translation)

"Though the cherry trees don’t blossom
    and the strawberries don’t ripen,
Though the apples are worm-eaten
    and the wheat fields stunted,
Though the sheep pens are without sheep
    and the cattle barns empty,
I’m singing joyful praise to God.
    I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.
Counting on God’s Rule to prevail,
    I take heart and gain strength.
I run like a deer.
    I feel like I’m king of the mountain!"

Good stuff, huh?

Everything was totally and absolutely BLEAK for Habakkuk...

Almost makes my cancer journey seem like a cakewalk

And he is turning cartwheels of joy!!

Is he crazy?

Why is he?  How can he?

"Counting on God's Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength"

I think that may capture the issue for me...

It's a matter of what or who is in charge of what is going on with me and my cancer journey.

What is in control here of my fate, my future, my body, ME?

Cancer?  Chemo?  Doctors?  Radiation?  The Hope of something new?  Me?

There is so much uncertainty in any of these answers

They all leave so much room for preventing and stripping away joy.

But...IF I know that God's will and rule will prevail

And...IF I know that His will is always good and He loves me like crazy

Then...

What in the world is there to prevent me from experiencing

Incredible and daily JOY throughout this cancer journey?

From doing cartwheels of joy!

And, again, I hope you realize that I'm not talking about some Pollyanna  kind of joy

But, real, deep, genuine JOY!

Okay, okay,

This may have gotten a bit preachy for some of you...

But, it's really just me trying to share the reality of how I'm walking this journey

While seeking to find in the midst of 

What can seem like living on death row

LIFE!

And that pretty much could describe where all of us are at, can't it?

Blessings,

Dave