Times of Developing: Courage, Confidence, Patient Endurance, Character, Joy, & Power to Endure (Part 1)

Posted on October 2, 2019 by America's Keswick in Victory Call

I invite you to read the following verses.  Know that the italics are mine.

John 16:33b The Passion Translation (TPT)

For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!”
Romans 5:3-4 The Passion Translation (TPT)

³ But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. ⁴ And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope.

James 1:2-3 The Passion Translation (TPT)

² My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! ³ For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things.

I have a testimony to share today and tomorrow about God using these verses in my life.  I am going to take a long journey and get it down into a two part devotional.  Actually it is a great exercise because you simply must leave out the fluff.

In 2007, after having battled breast cancer through biopsies, lumpectomies, partial mastectomies and mild oral chemotherapy, a recommendation was made to have a double mastectomy.  It seemed wise.  Implants following the mastectomy were recommended.  The process was presented as safe and made sense to me. The whole process took about five months and I was grateful I did not need chemotherapy or radiation.  However, three years ago I began getting sick every fall through winter.  It seemed nothing that was “going around” would escape me.  I saw doctors, had blood tests, and sought alternative holistic medicine.  A nutritionist provided advice and I took supplements galore.  I used chiropractic services, and massage therapy.  It all seemed to offer some help but my immune system continued to get worse until finally I was diagnosed with an immune deficiency disorder among other things.  Of course throughout, I prayed and sought the Word of God.  I declared His Word and believed I was going to come out of this stronger in my faith.  There were incredible miracles along the way, like the one I wrote about here when on the way to the hospital in an ambulance the pain in my gut lifted.  Amazing grace!!  But there were also times when those verses haunted me and I did not feel courageous or confident and did not want to endure another minute.

Overall I was not getting better.  Yet God did develop courage in me to press on and to seek help.  I couldn’t do this alone.  I asked a group of trusted friends to pray for me that God would reveal what was wrong and His plan for my healing.  One friend who did not know I had implants, with great hesitation, called me and said she thought God woke her at 3:00 am and told her my problem was my implants.  Really?? How could that be?  I began to do research and low and behold at www.breastimplantillness.com I found a listing of my symptoms and the recommendations for recovering.  My implants were considered the most dangerous among the implants listed and women were actually getting lymphoma from them.  Most days I refused to give in to fear.  God blessed me with endurance and confidence that He was with me and would not leave me.  I developed a hope that the victory would be won.  There were family members and friends that had a hard time believing that I had found the problem.  A diagnosis at 3:00 am from a friend!! I was using the Internet to gather research and a few sites on Facebook filled with testimonies from women having the same journey.  It made sense that people who cared about me were concerned about how I was getting my information and diagnosing myself.  Yet without a doubt I knew God led me to all of it.  My confidence was not in any person, but in God.  HE IS FAITHFUL.  His ways are not always our ways. But it was a VERY hard journey I will never forget.

Stay tuned……part II tomorrow.

Blessings,

Patricia Wenzel

Written by Pat Wenzel: Rev. Patricia Wenzel is the founder and director of a state wide prayer ministry, PRAY New Jersey Inc. since 2002.  The ministry is committed to praying for and blessing those serving in authority positions in our state, particularly in government.  The ministry is also committed to equipping the saints to pray for those serving in government.  The vision and ministry is guided by the Word of God, in particular 1 Tim. 2:1-4 and Is. 61:11.  Pat is thankful for the ministry of America’s Keswick.  She graduated from Women of Character in July 2008. 

Think About This: A testimony is something that serves as evidence. – Victoria Thomas Pollar

The Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 27-29, John 14 | You can download our 2019 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. – Psalm 51:1-2

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.