Experience has a way of teaching us some of life’s most valuable lessons, while pain and heartache add the exclamation point for emphasis.

The year 2018 certainly held some highlights for me: going on tour with Redemption Press to the Women of Joy conferences, signing a new book contract and writing the book, and winning the Christian Literary Reader’s Choice Award for “The Hope Prevails Bible Study”.

Conversely, while those were highlights of the year, that year also held several low points: a son’s boating accident and subsequent surgery, changing career direction, and receiving a cancer diagnosis for starters.

At the time, I slowed down and took an assessment of the lessons I had learned over that year’s experiences.

Lesson 1: God’s plans are good

That fall, I turned my manuscript for my next book in to the publisher. Not a day later, I began wondering “What project should I undertake now?” Yet I sensed the Lord insisting that the next season needed to be a season of rest, and that was confirmed in multiple ways and through multiple people. I didn’t understand it—I wondered what could be better than serving the Lord doing kingdom work? Yet within a month after I felt the Lord’s direction to rest, I received a cancer diagnosis and would need a clear schedule to rest and recover. Sometimes we don’t understand the Lord’s plans, but we can always trust that His plans for us are good and are to prosper us and never harm us.

Lesson 2: Valuing a change in perspective

That year presented many opportunities, not the least of which was a cancer journey, when I wasn’t that left me unsure what I could or how I could do something. As I looked around me, at my children, at my staff, at my patients, and even my friends, their situations confirmed I wasn’t alone in that. Life continually presents opportunities to grow, change, and test our perceived limits. Through it, I learned there is value in exchanging the thought “I don’t know how I can do that” for “Lord, I can’t wait to see how you handle this!”

Scripture says, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30). So rather than worry or fret, let’s watch and learn from Him.

Lesson 3: We comfort others with the same comfort God gives us

Shortly after I received that first cancer diagnosis, I received a text from a friend undergoing medical tests, asking for prayer. Very soon thereafter, she too was given a cancer diagnosis. Not only was I currently addressing cancer in my own life, but my husband was a three-time cancer survivor. We could lend wisdom, knowledge, and hope in a dark situation. Soon thereafter, we learned of others who were also walking the cancer journey, and it became clear to us that God would use our most painful experiences to allow us to minister and comfort others with the same comfort He had given to us.

Lesson 4: Being present with family and friends is what truly matters

When I heard the words, “I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but you have cancer,” thoughts raced through my mind faster than traffic driving the autobahn. I first sat stunned and in shock, unable to even schedule my next medical appointment for lack of focus. My thoughts jumped from “This can’t be…they must have the wrong patient” to “I don’t have time for this, I have to prepare for Christmas.” Somehow times like this remind you of what’s really important. More than ever before, all I really wanted for Christmas was to be fully present with and in my family’s lives, rather than a tree full of presents, for that was what truly mattered.

Lessons 5: Challenging times cause our trust to blossom

It took a little while to settle into a season of rest. I’m generally a do-er, a planner, and an achiever, so rest didn’t come naturally to me. Yet during a time when rest was crucial, I was grateful for the Lord’s instruction and provision of the time to do so. Many asked what my future plans were, and while it felt awkward, I repeatedly answered, “I don’t know. God hasn’t told me yet.” I found that it’s one thing to say we trust God when things are easy, but challenging times are fertile soil for our trust to really blossom.

Lesson 6: Rest is crucial for warfare

Furthermore, I used to think rest was a luxury, but then I learned it’s crucial for warfare.

Lesson 7: God will fulfill His promises

The enemy tempts us with worry, fear, and anxiety, but God has given us His peace if we will but receive it. Immediately upon hearing the cancer diagnosis, I realized I had a choice to make: either I could cave to worry, fear, and anxiety, or I could remember that God has always been faithful so I had no reason to doubt Him then. This perspective allowed me to walk that new journey in peace. Sometimes God tests us, and sometimes the enemy afflicts us, but either case is an opportunity to rely on God’s truth and watch Him fulfill His promises.

Lesson 8: Don’t compare our pain to others

Shortly after I had surgery, we had learned of several others who had also been diagnosed with cancer. When others asked me how I was, I often minimized my pain saying, “But I really can’t complain because I know others who have it so much worse.” Yet, I was drawn to Scriptures that suggested we don’t need to compare our pain to others’ and minimize our own experience because Jesus never compared one person’s pain, illness, or infirmity to another’s. He never denied someone His love and healing touch because someone else was in worse condition. In fact, He took the time to minister to people where He was, on His way to minister to others who were dying.

Lesson 9: Prayers of others give us strength

I endured many a painful and sleepless night following surgery and treatment. There were times when I cried so hard, all I could pray was either “Help…” or “Jesus.” But God never left me there. At some point, enough relief would come and I could rally before the next wave hit. Invariably, the next day someone (or multiple people) would contact me and let me know that God had them praying for me in the middle of the night. The prayers of others gave me strength when I had none, and were a tangible example of the Scriptural promise that when we are weak, He is strong.

Lesson 10: Christ died so we can live

While the pain I endured after surgery to remove the cancer and through subsequent treatment cannot possibly compare in magnitude, it nonetheless gave me a much greater appreciation for the pain and suffering my Savior endured on my behalf! As I sat receiving treatment before Christmas, I truly wanted to be anywhere but there. Until I realized that Christ was born on Christmas so that one day He would die so that I could live. That turned my grumbling heart into a grateful one.

As we face the coming days, I pray you will also take time to reflect on the lessons you have learned over the past year’s experiences. Those are often expensive, hard-fought lessons that deserve consideration.

As you reflect on those life lessons, may you experience blessings upon blessings as you seek to do what God would have you do and learn what He would have you learn.

I’d love to hear some of the life lessons and things you’ve learned in your experiences, in the comments below.

Because of Him, #HopePrevails!