Dealing with Disappointment: When Hep C Treatment Doesn’t Work, Part 2

Today we continue with Part 2; Dealing with disappointment when hep C treatment does not work. God reminded me of so many instances where He was there, right there in the middle of trouble, and He never left. He is still right in the middle of our trouble today, no matter what we face, He is there.

 

The Bible tells in the book of Daniel, Chapter 3, three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were pressured to deny God, but they chose to be faithful to him no matter what happened.

 

They trusted God to deliver them, but they were determined to be faithful regardless of the consequences.  When they were thrown into the fiery furnace, not only were they not harmed, but witnesses saw a fourth man walking around in the fire who looked like the son of God.

 

Jesus clearly was there right in the middle of their disappointment and trouble.  He always remains faithful, even through the difficult times. He never lets go. We may take our focus off of him, but he never takes his off of us. What was the lesson learned here?  That God can be trusted even when we can’t predict the outcome. They chose to concentrate on God, not their circumstances.

 

God also reminded me of the storm in which the disciples were caught up in the storm (Mark 4:35-41). Jesus was right there in the boat with them with the storm raging. Jesus was calm, he was asleep. The disciples woke him up and said, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”

 

Then the winds died down and it was completely calm.  But listen carefully to what he said to them, “Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?”   (Hello, that has us written all over it.  You could say we’re all in the same boat!)

 

God again, never abandon’s but is right there with us in our time of need.    He reminds us to keep our focus on Him, on faith, not the storm.  All the while, he reminds us not to be afraid. He repeats that same message over and over all throughout scripture.   As I reflected on the these passages, God once again reminded me that He is not there just in sunshine, but in the rain and the storm as well. I love the quote, “When the storm shows up, so will the Savior.”

 

Sometimes I go through times when not only is it storming, but I have a hole in my boat and I am bailing as fast as I can, only to look around me to see my sails being torn apart by the winds of circumstances. The storm rages and it’s ugly. It craves our attention.

 

When I feed the storm with anxiety, worry, fear, and the ’what if’s,’  etc. . . it grows. It’s called awfulizing. But when I look to the Savior who is in the boat with me, the storm that is raging inside of me changes. The storm then no longer has control. The Savior is in charge of my helm.

 

Jesus said in Matthew 6:27, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” This is so true. Worry takes away from life, it does not add anything to our lives but harm.   But that’s easier said than done, right?  It is sometimes a moment by moment, day by day practice of giving the wheel back over to Christ.

 

By the way, our fellow Hep C Warrior who I spoke of in Part 1, this is what she said, “ I was so not expecting the news, it took the wind out of my sails for a couple of days, had a few tears I must admit. Satan was whispering in my ear discouragement, But I know that God is there to hold my hand in all of this. I will not fear because I know He is always there and that He LOVES me.”

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

 

This is why I said she is a woman of mighty courage.  Her focus is not the winds of circumstances or despair, but in Christ, relying on His strength and care, every step of the way.

 

Stay tuned tomorrow for Part 3; Dealing with Disappointment When Hep C Treatment Does Not Work.