Is it news...or is it truth?

I was looking back at an email Pete and I sent out to family and friends on the Friday before we ended up in the hospital that following morning. We had just found out 2 nights before that he had pancreatic cancer. Here is part of that Fri email:

We are still waiting to see an oncologist here in Columbia…looking like it will not be until Monday due to vacation schedules. We are anticipating that next week will be a big week for us as we will probably be making major decisions about treatment options and where to receive treatment. We need you to ask the Lord to guide us with these decisions! We want to do His will and bring Him glory through this hard thing.

We had no clue that the following week was going to be such a “big week” for us! Pete was in heaven by the following Fri night! One week from when this email was written! We were preparing to “fight” this cancer…and even on Sat when we were in the hospital, we both thought we were just dealing with another stroke and we would handle this and go on to fight the cancer. But God had other plans and as the day went on, the strokes kept coming.

As I revisited this email today, I was reminded by the Lord about the “rest of the email”. This week has been very, very hard for me…lots of emotions and lots of deep sorrow and sadness in missing Pete in my daily life. Today it was like God directed me back to this email to gently remind me of Who He is and get me refocused on the TRUTH! (Here is the “rest of the email” - We had shared this devotional by Lysa TerKeurst in that Friday email – her words in red.)

News and truth aren't always one and the same. I'm learning this through a medical situation I've faced recently. I had a diving accident that severely damaged nerves inside my left inner ear. As a result, I have hearing loss and a horrible screeching sound that hasn't stopped since the accident weeks ago. It's been very hard. I know in the grand scheme of things, I could be dealing with much worse. I know that. And it makes me greatly empathetic for anyone facing a chronic medical diagnosis. It's scary when doctors shock you with test results and you don't know what the future holds.

I've been honest about my fears with my friends. They've been so faithful to stand beside me, pray for me and send precious notes of encouragement. (And I hope this devotion might be a note of encouragement from me to you.)

One of the emails I received was from my friend Shaunti. It contained a line that stirred me: "Lysa this is news. This is not truth."

Wow.

I've always thought of news and truth as one and the same. What the doctor gave me was news. Honest news based on test results and medical facts.

But what I have access to is a truth that transcends news. What is impossible with man's limitations is always possible for a limitless God.

So, I find myself looking at the word impossible a little differently today.

Impossible, when looked at in light of Shaunti's note, could be completely different if I just stick a little apostrophe between the first two letters. Then it becomes I'm-Possible. God is the great I AM. Therefore He is my possibility for hope and healing.

I'm-Possible is a much more comforting way to look at anything that feels quite impossible.

I suspect many of us have things in our life that feel impossible. Maybe you just got some bad news. News of an impossible financial situation. News of an impossible job situation. News of an impossible kid situation. News of an impossible friend situation. News of an impossible medical situation.

Whatever news you just got or will get, I pray Shaunti's advice helps you too.

This is news.

And this is Truth:

I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

I AM FOREVER FAITHFUL.
"He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-He remains faithful forever." Psalm 146:6

I AM WITH YOU.
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

I AM HOLDING YOU.
"Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand." Psalm 73:23

I AM YOUR HIDING PLACE.
"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7

If there is any comfort for me during this tough time, it is knowing that somehow God will use this for good. And that God will be my possible in the midst of what can sometimes feel so stinkin' impossible.

Of course, I still have those less spiritually secure moments where I feel like I'm going to lose my mind. And cry. And pitch a little hissy fit.(These words in blue are still Lysa’s words but oh, how I feel!)

Oh how thankful I am for my praying, encouraging, note-writing friends who help me focus on truth and not just the facts. I'm asking Jesus to send some your way today. And every time that word impossible creeps up and starts to steal your hope, see the words I'm-Possible and hold on to Him.

Dear Lord, You are I Am, I'm-Possible. You are the way, truth and life, and You are forever faithful. Thank You for being with me always, holding me and being my hiding place. Help me lean on these truths when the news I receive feels impossible. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

The news and the truth is that Pete will not be here with me anymore on earth…but the truth is also that I can be so thankful for the gift of the love of a wonderful man and that God is still with me and is holding me and allowing me to continue on by holding onto His strong right hand! God is still God…even when it seems like my world is shaken to its core!  God is still God! Therefore He is my possibility for hope and healing. God is still God! I will yield my life to Him!

                               God is still God! And that is truth!