A Hand on the Brow
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and welcome to Joni and Friends.
And my best friend is obviously Ken Tada. He is the friend who is constantly by my side, next to me through every struggle, every painful situation. Like the other night after he helped me into bed, pulled up my covers, and kneeled beside me to pray. Ken placed his hand on my forehead, paused for a moment, and asked God to comfort me and to help me get through the night; he asked the Lord to even be so kind as to give me sleep. And as I felt the gentle feel of Ken’s hand on my brow, all my fear vanished. And I had no small reason to be concerned as I faced the night. Because earlier that afternoon, the visiting nurse came and gave me my monthly Faslodex injection – it’s a thick, gooey chemotherapy drug that’s infused into each hip with two injections. I’ve been taking it ever since my last cancer surgery, and it doesn’t get any easier. It’s always painful, and that means I don’t sleep much the night after the injections. It’s just part of my ongoing battle with breast cancer. But I tell you what…
Every time I feel the soft pressure of Ken’s hand on my forehead, it is so soothing and so comforting, like, it’s like the hand of Jesus himself giving me all his consolation and comfort. And not just Christ alone. Earlier this week I mentioned 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. I cannot read that passage without feeling like it’s like Ken’s hand on my head imparting strength and perseverance. And this is what it says: “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, [may he] comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good work and word.” I love the way this verse says that not only Christ himself comforts us, but God, and then even our Father who has loved us. All of the Trinity, every person in the Trinity, stands over my bed at night when I am facing pain and sleeplessness. Above my gloomy face of fear stands the Lord Jesus and God my Father who gives consolation and hope through grace.
Friend, that’s courage. If you’re battling cancer like I still am – for I have not yet been declared cancer free – if you are in chemotherapy or recovering from surgery, these are hopeful words for you from 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. It assures you that all the might and power, all the sympathy of God’s love is with you. God is as near and close as though he were placing his hand on your worried brow today. So, you can sleep – as best you can, you can sleep. It may not be as deep and as sweet as you wish – mine certainly isn’t after a Faslodex shot in the hips – but it is rest, rest for my weary, wounded and often worried soul.
I’ve got so much more to say about this, especially if you are battling cancer. And given that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to lay my hand on your brow, as it were, and offer you a special gift. It’s a free copy of my booklet “Breast Cancer: Life After Shock.” It’s filled with rich insights from the Word of God to keep you bolstered. And share it with a friend. So go to joniradio.org and we’ll send you it right away. Thank you for letting me just offer a little bit of hope through your hardship today. Especially if you are in a cancer battle. And I do pray that you found my words hopeful! And we look forward to having you come by at joniradio.org. God bless you and thanks for listening!
© Joni and Friends
Today’s Gift
Today’s GiftDiagnosed with Breast Cancer
As a survivor herself, Joni Eareckson Tada walks with you through the struggles and questions that arise with the diagnosis of breast cancer. With the wisdom and grace that comes from experience, Joni uses Scripture to point the way to a deeper trust in the God who provides hope in the midst of hardship.
