The Power of Choice

A week ago my family got the dreaded news that so many families have heard, “You have cancer.” My dad was the unexpected recipient of these terrible words. As many of you know, the moment you hear devastating news a whirlwind of emotions want to flood in. These are the moments when you find out what you are truly made of.

When my mom called to relay what the doctor suspected was the cause of my dad’s symptoms, I felt the Holy Spirit rise up in me saying, “DO NOT FEAR, ONLY BELIEVE.”

Jesus is quoted in Mark 5:36 speaking those words to a leader of the synagogue named Jairus. Jairus was in the process of bringing Jesus to pray over his sick daughter (who was on the verge of death) when a messenger met Jairus on the way to tell him it was too late, his daughter was already dead.

Boom! Jairus was hit by news that would knock the air right out of him. I’m sure this event is recorded to show exactly how important our response is when we hear devastating news as well. Jesus quickly turned to Jairus to combat the fear that immediately started to rise up. He sternly commanded him, “Do not fear, only believe.” Jairus gained control of his response to the news and did as Jesus instructed him. As a result, his daughter was made well.

You may not be able to control what happens to you, but you certainly can control how you respond to your circumstance. Responding in faith is how Jesus instructed Jairus and how he is instructing you and me as His followers to respond.

So, these are the choices that my family and I are making:

1. We choose to stop any fear in its tracks. We refuse to think on negative ‘what-ifs.’ Instead, we choose to look to Jesus and the peace that only He can bring to this situation.

2. We choose to bring back into remembrance all the healing miracles we have witnessed and God’s faithfulness throughout our lives.

3. We choose to take the information we hear and instead of worrying about it, turn it back to God in prayer.

4. We choose to have faith in God. We trust in and believe in 1 Peter 2:24, “By His stripes we ARE healed.”

5. We choose to have joy. People that are victorious are joyful!