A Light in the Darkness
Author: Gina Matthews (Hampshire, England)
The word ‘cancer’ provokes dark emotions: fear, anxiety and a sense of doom, to name but a few.
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, these words from Lamentations and Psalm 119 became the lamp that shone God’s light along my path.
There were times when I realised how powerful and comforting the prayers of strangers can be, particularly during periods of great physical, emotional and spiritual weakness.
All strength and resolve seemed to dissolve into a haze of voices, medication sickness, emptiness and profound loneliness.
I woke in pain many times in the early hours when others had gone to bed, feeling scared and alone. But then I would settle back into bed, feeling and knowing that I was being prayed for by my brothers and sisters across the world.
It was as though I was being held by a thousand hands.
Sometimes we have to reach what feels like the end of ourselves before we can fully comprehend how high, how deep and wide is God’s love for us.
These words from Lamentations remind us of this: ‘His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness’ (Lamentations 3:22–23).
Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for your love, joy, peace and comfort shown to us through your word. Help us to shine your light into the lives of those going through dark times. Amen
