Aunty Lilian shares with us how through her faith, she found strength, joy, forgiveness and compassion for others, even while battling cancer.
I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in July 2012. Shocked and shaken, I began to seek God concerning this illness and how to deal with it. Praise the Lord for my supportive husband and four caring children. They stood by me and help me make the decision to undergo treatment as soon as possible. By His grace, our Heavenly Father arranged for the best doctor available to lead a team of specialists for my treatment plan. She is the Head of Surgery and the Director of the Breast Centre in Changi Hospital. A treatment plan for an immediate surgery with 6 cycles of Chemotherapy and 6 weeks of Radiation Therapy was recommended. Everything from the surgery to the treatment went smoothly. And all the 3 doctors were very pleased with the progress and that my body has responded very well to the treatment.
In the midst of all these, the LORD spoke to me in Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”
I began to experience more of His intimate Love and peace. My husband, Isaac, also encouraged me with the promise of Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” It simply means to look at life through the eyes of FAITH and to live a life lightened with JOY and LAUGHTER.
In the midst of all these, the LORD spoke to me in Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”
I began to experience more of His intimate Love and peace. My husband, Isaac, also encouraged me with the promise of Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” It simply means to look at life through the eyes of FAITH and to live a life lightened with JOY and LAUGHTER.
I clung unto the promises of God daily, because all the promises of God are “YES” and in Him “AMEN”, to the glory of God through us. (2 Cor. 1:20) I was still able to continue with my usual daily routines. However, there were many moments when the toil of the chemotherapy was too difficult to bear. But JEHOVAH RAPHA, GOD my HEALER was always there to comfort and strengthened me over and over again. I have learnt to trust Him more and more each day by soaking in His presence with songs of worship. The joy of the Lord flooded my whole being time and time again and it relieved me of the pain. Many friends, neighbours & relatives who saw my joyful countenance could not believe I was undergoing cancer treatment. Even my hair stylist, who is not a Christian, openly testified that “your God is so good to you”. It has opened up the door of opportunities for me to share with him about the goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
God has also shown Himself so real to me through dreams and visions. He kept assuring me that He is Emmanuel. One of the most significant dreams was I dreamt of an angel of the LORD came to me and wrote a bible verse on my forehead. This verse was 2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 3 & 4.
“Blessed be the God, our Father of mercies and God of all comfort that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
I knew God wanted to use me to comfort those who are sick with HIS comfort that I have received from HIM. Amen! I also want to share this very personal incident of my life. I was abandoned by my mother when I was a child. I was then brought up by my grandparents. Somehow during this time, the HOLY SPIRIT kept asking me to forgive my mum. And when I said I am willing to approach my mum to seek forgiveness, the very next day my mum called me on the phone. She kept crying and asked me to forgive her for not taking care of me. I was choked to tears and cannot believe how the HOLY SPIRIT works so fast when I said I am willing to forgive. I felt the chain of unforgiveness was broken at the very moment. I was indeed being set free. God is so good to me; He restored my relationship with my mum once again.
This journey has brought me many blessings and taught me valuable life’s lessons. Yes indeed, all things work together for good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
These are the lessons I have learnt.
In conclusion, I would like to thank God for my Church’s full-time staff, brothers and sisters in Christ, friends and relatives who has been very supportive with their love and constant prayers. This season of my life has brought my family even closer to God and to each other. JESUS CHRIST is truly the solid ROCK OF MY SALVATION and that I can lean on HIM no matter what may come my way. For I know my life is in HIS hands. And above all………..,
GLORY TO OUR ALMIGHTY GOD….! Hallelujah…!
God has also shown Himself so real to me through dreams and visions. He kept assuring me that He is Emmanuel. One of the most significant dreams was I dreamt of an angel of the LORD came to me and wrote a bible verse on my forehead. This verse was 2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 3 & 4.
“Blessed be the God, our Father of mercies and God of all comfort that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
I knew God wanted to use me to comfort those who are sick with HIS comfort that I have received from HIM. Amen! I also want to share this very personal incident of my life. I was abandoned by my mother when I was a child. I was then brought up by my grandparents. Somehow during this time, the HOLY SPIRIT kept asking me to forgive my mum. And when I said I am willing to approach my mum to seek forgiveness, the very next day my mum called me on the phone. She kept crying and asked me to forgive her for not taking care of me. I was choked to tears and cannot believe how the HOLY SPIRIT works so fast when I said I am willing to forgive. I felt the chain of unforgiveness was broken at the very moment. I was indeed being set free. God is so good to me; He restored my relationship with my mum once again.
This journey has brought me many blessings and taught me valuable life’s lessons. Yes indeed, all things work together for good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
These are the lessons I have learnt.
- To give thanks to God in everything whether in good or bad times.
- To count my blessings every day.
- To recognize the still small voice of God and submit to the authority of the Holy Spirit.
- To remain cheerful in the face of all adversities. (Proverbs 17:22)
- To forgive and love those who have hurt me in the past.
- To have compassion for the sick.
In conclusion, I would like to thank God for my Church’s full-time staff, brothers and sisters in Christ, friends and relatives who has been very supportive with their love and constant prayers. This season of my life has brought my family even closer to God and to each other. JESUS CHRIST is truly the solid ROCK OF MY SALVATION and that I can lean on HIM no matter what may come my way. For I know my life is in HIS hands. And above all………..,
GLORY TO OUR ALMIGHTY GOD….! Hallelujah…!
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." This verse has encouraged me to keep on living as the joy of the Lord is my strength. Nothing can rob away the joy that God has given to me. The pain is not wasted (or "in vain") for it has strengthened my faith in God.
Living one day at a time,
Lilian.
Living one day at a time,
Lilian.