A Positive Way to Move Forward
Written By Michelle Schluchter
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
It comes around every year, and I, the rule follower, do my due diligence like clockwork. The mammogram. A quick, uncomfortable moment in a day that, the results of which, can bring relief for another year or turn your world upside down with two words – “abnormal findings.”
I did a great job not panicking or overthinking (which, if you know me, is out of character), and I scheduled the follow-up. I tell people there’s no reason to worry until there’s a reason to worry, and I actually took my own advice!
The results found something, and a flurry of testing began, as did countless prayers and hopes. I hope it’s benign. I hope I don’t need further treatment. I hope I continue to trust in the Lord to carry me through, no matter the outcome.
I'm typically not a fan of hope. It seems like I'm admitting I don't have control, and that's the last feeling I want when life circumstances seem unfavorable. However, when combined with faith, it is a perfect pairing.
Faith “is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). Hope is future-oriented and is the confident expectation that God will fulfill His promises.
Fortunately, I had the best outcome possible, Stage 0, in situ (meaning fully contained) carcinoma. I had a lumpectomy, and no further treatment or surgery was needed. Praise God! I still experienced a few months of fear, uncertainty, and sadness about what I was going through, what might happen in the future, and how it would affect my mental health. I kept my focus on my faith that the Lord would carry me through the journey, and I sure “hoped” for the best scenario.
This journey gave me a depth in my relationship with The Lord that I never experienced before, brought me closer to my church family, and let me realize that you can be sad and joyful at the same time when submersed in God’s love. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and God’s arms tightly wrapped around me. I had the confidence that no matter how difficult the journey was going to be that I would make it through with the strength of The Lord and that He would uplift me through it all. It also showed me that hope is not a last-ditch attempt at something, but a bright beacon and a positive way to move forward.
I did a great job not panicking or overthinking (which, if you know me, is out of character), and I scheduled the follow-up. I tell people there’s no reason to worry until there’s a reason to worry, and I actually took my own advice!
The results found something, and a flurry of testing began, as did countless prayers and hopes. I hope it’s benign. I hope I don’t need further treatment. I hope I continue to trust in the Lord to carry me through, no matter the outcome.
I'm typically not a fan of hope. It seems like I'm admitting I don't have control, and that's the last feeling I want when life circumstances seem unfavorable. However, when combined with faith, it is a perfect pairing.
Faith “is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). Hope is future-oriented and is the confident expectation that God will fulfill His promises.
Fortunately, I had the best outcome possible, Stage 0, in situ (meaning fully contained) carcinoma. I had a lumpectomy, and no further treatment or surgery was needed. Praise God! I still experienced a few months of fear, uncertainty, and sadness about what I was going through, what might happen in the future, and how it would affect my mental health. I kept my focus on my faith that the Lord would carry me through the journey, and I sure “hoped” for the best scenario.
This journey gave me a depth in my relationship with The Lord that I never experienced before, brought me closer to my church family, and let me realize that you can be sad and joyful at the same time when submersed in God’s love. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and God’s arms tightly wrapped around me. I had the confidence that no matter how difficult the journey was going to be that I would make it through with the strength of The Lord and that He would uplift me through it all. It also showed me that hope is not a last-ditch attempt at something, but a bright beacon and a positive way to move forward.
Reflective Question for the Day
Can you think of a time when unfavorable circumstances made you feel hopeless,
but you trusted your faith in God, and you were also able to experience joy?
Michelle’s morning routine is going to the gym, walking on the treadmill for an hour, having breakfast, and watching the beginning of Live with Kelly and Mark. Her favorite Christmas traditions are making French Steak, a tradition passed down from Chad’s side of the family, and homemade fudge. Her favorite Christmas movie is Bad Santa.