Often times in life, the Lord allows the unexpected to happen. Our lives are constantly changing, and it seems like once we climb one challenging mountain then the next mountain is placed in our way. Some stories, like Heather Von St. James’, go like this:
“At age 36, just 3 ½ months after my first and only child, Lily, was born, I was diagnosed with mesothelioma and given 15 months to live.”
Do you remember the day you heard your life-changing news? Do you remember the times of wondering, how am I ever going to get through this? Miraculously, Heather beat the odds and is still here 8 years later. But not everyone’s story goes exactly the same. However, one thing is the same: if we trust in the Lord, follow His example, and help each other climb our mountains, then we will all make it!
(I’m a month late for National Cancer Research Month, but here’s my plug to please support Heather and other cancer victims by becoming aware of these dangers! “Mesothelioma is considered one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers; most people are given just one year to live upon diagnosis. There is no known cure for mesothelioma and the future continues to look grim as attention to the disease as well as research funding continues to decline. The only known cause of ‘meso’ is exposure to asbestos, which is still not banned in the US. Sadly, it doesn’t look like asbestos will be banned anytime soon, as there is too much money being made by using this deadly mineral.” The more people that know about this cancer, the more lives are potentially saved! Check out the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance where there is lots of information about the disease, asbestos exposure, and where you can also read Heather and her husband’s blog about their journey with cancer!)
To all those who are currently passing through physical, mental, and emotional trials that could cause you to cry out, “when I have tried all my life to be good, why has this happened to me?”, watch my favorite video of all time:
Recap from President Henry B. Eyring:
- If the foundation of faith is not embedded in our hearts, the power to endure will crumble. …Acting on even a twig of faith allows God to grow it. That particle of faith, most precious and which you should protect and use to whatever extent you can, is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- It is serving God and others persistently with full heart and soul, that turns testimony of truth into unbreakable spiritual strength.
- If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest of times can be a blessing.
- The Lord has promised, “I will not forsake thee.”
- We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and on our right to bear us up and He always keeps His word. His love is unfailing.
Whatever mountain you are climbing right now, whether it be cancer or depression or loneliness or unemployment or anything else in the world, you are not climbing it alone.
You got this. Trust in God, and keep moving forward!
Emblem of Light 