May 18, 2023 - I Should Have Known

     I finally got a nudge.  Maybe two or three of them in a row.  These blogs have been intended to help keep you abreast of my medical situation so let’s start there.
     Week five of chemotherapy has been different than the first four weeks.  It has not mirrored the other three high steroids weeks.  I have not had the “wiring” like those three.  I have had a lot less energy and have been far less productive.
     “Dr. Chuck’s” take on it is that the treatments for both the prostate cancer and the myeloma are in cahoots together.  I look at my neighbor who is dealing with the same hormone treatment and I see the fatigue that I feel.  I am in the third month of my hormones being destroyed and I think that is part of the struggle.  That tends to be somewhat out of my mind because of the chemotherapy treatments.
     Five weeks into chemotherapy surely means that the treatments are having a cumulative effect. 
     Tuesday’s treatment went far better than the previous Tuesday.  I didn’t share about that in the blog, though I did in the sermon on Sunday.  Thanks for the prayers.  They are a sustaining factor in my life.
     I have been preaching about the peace of God and how His peace has been a consistent reality in my life in this.  Sunday’s sermon was on the peace OF God.  Three weeks ago I had preached on having peace WITH God.  You can’t have the peace of God in your heart unless you have peace with Him as your Savior and Lord.
       I should have known what was coming this week.  It happens rather consistently after sermons.  Whatever the theme I might as well be ready because the enemy will tempt me to see if I can live out what I have preached.
     It wasn’t an hour after Sunday’s sermon that three things were thrown in my path that were “peace stealers.”  I said in the sermon to get rid of the things that steal your peace—get your focus off those when possible.
     Often it isn’t possible.  As Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.”  Troubles come and often those troubles affect our “peace level.”
     This week has been a troubling week.  I haven’t felt as strong as previous weeks.  Today Teresa and I are making a seven-hour roundtrip to attend a funeral for her uncle.  We got some not so good news about her car. 
     Jesus follows up those words about having trouble with these words, “But be of good cheer (or comfort) for I have overcome the world.”
     Here is what I am finding about the peace of God in my heart.  It is a peace that is consistent, though not constant.  The troubles come and smack that peace for a bit, but it’s not long before that sweet peace returns.  Indeed, Jesus has overcome the world.  Sometimes it is in small increments, but nonetheless experienced.
     I should have known.  Both realities.  I should have known that the enemy would and will do what he can to destroy the sweet peace of Jesus.  I should have known that Jesus has overcome him and that Jesus will prevail.  He is bringing me the good cheer, just like He said He would.
     May it be so for you.