Keys to Survival

  Keys To Survival-My life is not easy. That goes without saying. However,
over the long, difficult years, God has given me certain keys to help me to
survive this ordeal. And, when it is finally over, I know that I come forth
a much better person for this trial.

The one key that may be most helping me to survive is my determination or,
if you like, stubbornness. I like to think that God put this determination
in me because He knew that I was going to need it. Many times, the thought
comes to me that this is too hard and to give up. But there is something in
me that just won't let me quit. In fact,the more frequently those thoughts come
the more determined I am not to give in to them. Besides, I often have this
thought. If I give up, how would my life be any better? I would still be
unable to move or talk, have symptoms of cancer and without the hope I now
have.

Having established that my determination has played a big part in my still
being in the game, God has given me some things, or keys, to aid me in my
battle. The first, and most important, is the Bible, or Word of God. When I
am feeling desperate and with nobody to turn to I turn to the Bible. It
encourages me to hold on as it gives me strength and courage to face what I
have to face everyday and hope, both for healing in this life and for my
final destination in Heaven.  I doubt I would still be here without the
Bible.

Another important key that God has given to me is prayer. Of course, there
are times of formal prayer. At church or before I go to sleep at night. To
be honest, though, most of my prayer is, in my mind simply talking to God
as if He were standing right beside me. Sometimes, it is simply to praise
Him for how good He is all the time. Both good and bad times. At other
times, though, I catch myself complaining to Him. At times like that, I am
always thankful that His shoulders are broad enough to take it. It has
become such a habit for me to talk to God in my mind that I sometimes catch
myself talking to Him at church or on some other outing. Without the outlet
of talking to God whenever I want, I not sure I could have lasted all these
years.

One other key that I consider vital to my survival is the presence of the
Holy Spirit. I depend on Him for EVERYTHING. Almost every day, before I get
up, I ask the Holy Spirit to get me through the day and He always
does-somehow. Times when I am crying and upset, I often feel the presence of
the Holy Spirit most. When other people can't calm me down, His presence
usually can. When I want to remember something, I tell the Holy Spirit to
remind me and He always does. And so on and so on.

Church. I suppose that if I had to, I could survive without church. As long as I still had the Bible, Holy Spirit and could still pray. However, church is very, very important to me. It is a break from the dismal atmosphere in Long-term Care to be in an atmosphere where everyone is praising God. Plus, I truly believe that, through the pastor, God may speak something that I need to hear. For that reason, I never have to.

Another thing that is a key to my survival is my music. Like church, probably not vital but very, very important. I keep mentioning my music but it really does help me to cope. Primarily, by keeping my focus on God more than on my depressing circumstances. And the music keeps the dismal atmosphere of Long-term Care out of my room.

A final key to my sticking with it are visitors and outings. I know that I could live without them but they do make my tedious, day-to-day life a lot more pleasant. One reason that I value them so much is that, for a little while, they take my mind of the difficult circumstances I am bombarded with everyday.

These are some important keys to me "hanging in there". However, the most important, and vital key, is simply God and His will. I know I am in this situation because it is the will of God for me right now. God will keep me in it as long as I continue to trust Him.