5 minute read
A WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE
PASTOR RHODA TURNER
What Are You Pushing Through?
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“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13. We can do anything because God has strengthened us to do it. My mother’s favorite scripture is the scripture listed below, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians5:18.
I remember it just like it was yesterday. What is the "it"? The "it" is labor and delivery. A 20+ year memory readily accessible. I was in the labor and delivery room preparing to give birth to my first born daughter. Within that experience were a whole lot of emotions. I was excited about being a mom as well as petrified about the labor and delivery sections that I couldn’t avoid. I was in about the 12th hour of the entire process, and I had to use the restroom. I vaguely remember going into the restroom and asking my husband to come in there. When he arrived in the room, he found me in the midst of attempting to pull off all that tape so that I could remove my IV’s. He shouted out "stop" at me, to which I ignored him. Not knowing what else to do, he called my sister into the room, where they were able to stop me. He asked what I was doing and I told him that I was preparing to go home! Now, I hadn’t even delivered my daughter yet. However, I had made up in my mind that I was over THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE! Instead of bailing on my original plan, I decided to abandon my new plan instead. I stayed and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl that gives me so much joy.
Seeing and experiencing difficult situations have a way of making us want to give up when situations get rough or difficult. It’s easy to give up and walk away. It’s hard to stay in the midst of a situation when things are difficult. If we look through the Word of God it shows us Scriptures that we can use when things get rough. We may not always understand the "why" of why things happen, but the 23rd division of Psalms sums up how we should endure the journey of our life's situation. The enemy wants us to give up and not push through. He’s rewarded by our failure because in his mind he has won when we give up. Instead of giving up we surrender to His rest. We allow ourselves to be led by still waters, and He will restore our souls. There's an abundance of promises in this one chapter that becomes the blueprint of how to get through the tough times.
I’m so appreciative to know that God was with me 20+ years ago in that labor and delivery room, and that He has been with me every day before that and every day since that. I’m not turning away from God; I'm going to go through the labor and the pain, because the reward is so much greater than what I’ve been through.
So whatever you are pushing through, I would encourage you to not quit, don’t stop, don’t give up and keep pushing. You can do it!
Pastor Rhoda Turner
Christian Faith Fellowship Church Chandler, AZ www.cffaz.org
Grace&Glory 33
On going through treatment: “It seemed like they would never end. And, each time, I dreaded the after-effects of the drugs. But it was killing the cancer cells. I prayed that it would work.”
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. We take the time to celebrate and pray for the millions of women who are victorious winners and courageous fighters of this disease. Almost everyone knows of a mother, sister, relative, or friend that has experienced this widespread disease.
Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. Scientists contribute a combination of risk factors to the development of breast cancer. These include reproductive history, alcohol consumption, getting older, and genetics.
Starting your menses before the age of 12 years and notbeginning menopause until after 55 years can contribute to the development of breast cancer. These factors lengthen the exposure to reproduction hormones. Studies show that a woman’s risk for breast cancer increases with the more alcohol she drinks. The risk for breast cancer increases with age; most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50. Having an inherited mutation to certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 contributes to the development of breast cancer. In addition, having a mother, sister, or daughter (first-degree relative) or multiple family members on either her mother’s or father’s side of the family who has had breast or ovarian cancer places a woman at risk of developing the disease.
I have had the humbling experience of witnessing several friends fight through this potentially devastating disease. Each woman is a champion of courage. I hope to capture some of their conversations here:
On discovering they had breast cancer: “They found it on routine screening; I was shocked and numb. No one in my family had cancer. I don’t smoke or drink in excess; I don’t carry the breast cancer gene. How did this happen to me?” “Thank God for my family and friends that supported me. They held my hand, wiped my tears, prayed fervent prayers when I couldn’t pray, and found ways to make me smile and laugh through the storm.”
On what family and friends can do to help: “Pray for us. Pray with us.”
“Sometimes, just sitting with me is enough.”
As I write this article, I am moved again by their strength, faith, and endurance. Some of these women continued to work at their jobs while they went through treatment. Their actions were a powerful statement, exemplifying a will to live and the determination to survive and win against an overwhelming force. I am in awe of these women.
Each year in October, the Helene Fuld School of Nursing at Coppin State University hosts a breast cancer forum. A panel of experts, cancer survivors, and nursing students share knowledge about breast cancer. Please join us on Thursday, October 28. 2021 at 2:00 pm for the virtual forum. Please check www. coppin.edu/events for the link to the forum.
Dr. Denyce Watties-Daniels
Assistant Professor at Coppin State University DWatties-Daniels@coppin.edu healthytips025@gmail.com
