MoreThings I Have Learned

More Things I Have Learned-Some time ago, I wrote about some lessons that I
have learned during my ordeal. But that was before the cancer. But, now, l
have a few more to add.

One of the most important is to never, ever entertain the thought of giving
up. From time to time I get the thought that this is too hard. I should just
give up, let nature take its course and go to Heaven. Pretty tempting but I
also know, that, if I entertain that thought, it  won't be long until I
actually do give up. I have to keep telling myself that, no matter how bad
it gets, I won't EVER give up.

I have learned that it ok to have an occasional pity party, meltdown, hissy
fit, crying spell or whatever you want to call it. Just don't stay there and
wallow in it. For me, it is have the fit, get over it and carry on with
life.

Another thing that I have learned is the reality of the statement by Jesus
that He will never leave or forsake us. Yes, we read in the Bible and hear it
at church. However, it becomes a reality when I am crying and upset. Nobody
wants to be around me and, to be honest, I would like to get away from
myself if I could! But, miserable as I may get, I can't get rid of Jesus. In
fast, when I am at my worst, that is often when I feel His presence the most.

I have learned that, yes, Jesus gave us His peace at the time of our
salvation but it is up to us to keep that peace. There are all sorts of things
in this life that will steal our peace if we let them. For me,  if I notice
that I am starting to feel agitated, restless and just not at peace, it is a
signal to me that I need to read some in the Bible, as long as I am not in
bed. Sometimes, I read verses specifically on peace but not always. The key,
I guess, is doing whatever we need to get our focus back on Jesus. That is
where the peace is.

Since being diagnosed with cancer, I have really come to understand the
importance of living one day at a time. After my salvation, I kept looking forward to the day that I received my total healing. But I don't do that anymore. At least, not as often. I have no idea what the future holds and I know very well that I just make myself depressed if I let myself start thinking about all the bad things that could happen. So I try to live one day at a time, sometimes a few hours at a time.

I have learned that, when some trifling thing happens that upsets me, to stop and think, "How important is this in the light of eternity?". That generally calms me down. I am trying, not always successfully, to view everything from an eternal perspective. That includes everything that I have gone through and am still going through.

I have learned to be more thankful. Mostly, for the little things or things most people take for granted. Right now, I am thankful for every day that the symptoms from the cancer are minimal. Though maybe that is not a little thing! I was thinking about how thankful I am for my sight and hearing. I can't even imagine what my life would be without them. I am not going to mention everything that I am thankful for. Just one more thing. I think, right now, I am more thankful for Jesus than I have ever been.

These are just a few more things that I have learned. No doubt I will be learning plenty more before Jesus returns!