Cynthia S. Newell
  • Hi, I'm Cynthia!
  • Powerful Living
  • Breakthrough NOW
  • Radio Show
  • 2018 SEW

“Life is a series of waves to be embraced and overcome”.    Danny Meyer

In my Darkest Hour Faith Kept Me Alive

7/1/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture

Faith.  What is faith?  We hear varying descriptions of this word- belief in the unseen, trust in a higher power - my favorite definition is Hebrews 11 which states, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (NIV)
I interpret this to mean having certainty that the things, experiences and situations we desire to be, do and have will happen; we do not let what we see, especially contrary things, dictate what we believe.

For me, faith is an internal spring of life that can get you through the most devastating experiences.  Whether it is a sick child, not knowing how you will pay your rent to trusting your dreams will become your reality.  Our faith is our rock of salvation.  By having it we are rescued from the pit of oppression and delivered from the cruelty of meditating on unlikely circumstances.  Faith is an invitation to desire greater, believe greater and become greater. 


My darkest hour
Just a few months ago I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.  Cancer!  The diagnosis explained the excruciating pain in my GI area every time I ate as well as the horrible back pain and countless vomiting fits I’d have even on days I hadn’t eaten.  My stomach felt like it was on fire and my throat was sore from the constant vomiting. To make matters worse, the malignant tumor in my colon was bleeding, I was losing lots of blood fast which caused me have severe anemia;  I never had energy to do anything, holding my newborn wore me out, walking, something I love to do, exhausted me. My life was slipping away.
   
  
Found hope in my heart
When I first heard the diagnosis I was petrified. I thought, “People die from cancer!  I can’t die; I have so much living to do.  I can’t die; I have a 6 month old baby.  I can’t die, not right now.” I started crying & envisioning my three children sitting on the front pew of a church at my funeral.  I started thinking about whether my grandson would remember me since I had died when he was so young.  I wondered things like, “Who would raise my baby girl? How will my older girls do with me gone? What about this? How will they take care of that?” Then I stopped mid thought and declared that I will not die, but live!  In that moment, I made a decision that no matter how bleak things looked I was going to fight for my life.  If the cancer had spread, I was going to fight for my life.  If I had to do chemotherapy or radiation, I was going to fight for my life.  I drew strength from my faith and found hope in my heart.
​

Not built to break
I had never faced this type of health crisis.  I knew I needed to get out of my emotions and replace my fear with faith.  I reached out to my family for prayer, encouragement and emotional support. As they individually prayed, prophetic promises came forth,  John 11:4, Isaiah 53:5 just to share a few.  To elevate my faith even more, I listened to inspirational songs, my favorite, “Let Your Power Fall” by James Fortune and talked to a good friend who had had a similar experience.  I decided not to entertain thoughts about death and instead focus on life and living. 
​
Life happens yet we are not built to break.  We are going to experience situations that will leave us speechless and make us feel overwhelmed. (50 Things to Do when Life is Overwhelming), that’s all a part of living.    In moments of obscurity, choose faith.  Choose to believe that everything will ultimately be just fine even when nothing outwardly supports this belief. If you need to cry, cry! (The Big Ugly Cry)  If you struggle to find that inward place of jubilation (Where the Heck are all my Happy Thoughts), that’s fine, feel what you feel but don’t get stuck there, find an outlet.

In my darkest hour my faith kept me alive.

Share in the comments section, "What has helped you get through some of the toughest moments in your life?"

Until next time, make it a great day,
Cynthia


1 Comment
Tracey L Simmons
7/1/2016 13:49:37

By the Grace of GOD and by FAITH, GOD has healed me of endometriosis. This female disease can hurt10 times worse than labor pains. I suffered 10yrs after a hysterectomy. I prayed and cried and prayed and cried. When my ovaries hurt, I lied in bed for an entire week. But one day, GOD saw fit to send somebody!!!! I was referred to Dr Patrick Yeung at SLUCARE OBGYN and he saved my life. GOD has gifted this man to HEAL women of this painful disease. For this BLESSING, I am FOREVER Grateful.
My daughter is now experiencing this disease. She has had one surgery at Children's hospital that gave her no relief. But after praying and fasting, GOD has saw fit that the same Dr, Dr Yeung will perform surgery that WILL heal my daughter. I'm Standing and Agreeing and Trusting and Believing that GOD WILL HEAL MY CHILD. IF HE DID IT FOR ME.....I KNOW HE WILL DO IT FOR HER.

BE BLESSED EVERYONE.

I WILL continue to keep you in prayer Cynthia. Love You

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Cynthia Sherrell

    Passionate writer whose mission is to uplift hearts & offer sensible ways to create a beautiful life. Her transparent sharing encourages emotional healing & spiritual growth. You too can overcome, walk in victory & see value in every situation.

    Archives

    March 2018
    February 2018
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All

Powered by
  • Hi, I'm Cynthia!
  • Powerful Living
  • Breakthrough NOW
  • Radio Show
  • 2018 SEW
✕