How to Be Strong for the Lord

BEYOND THE BASICS | Sonia Rainwater (deceased), edited by Tom Rainwater

[Note: Below is a lesson that Sonia presented to a group of girls at the Northeast Florida College Camp in 2013. After this, her cancer afflicted her for five more years before she passed from this life. She faced that burden with strength and hope. Her example continues to encourage all who witnessed her faith. For that, I’m certain, she would give God all the glory. – Tom Rainwater]

Three years ago, I was diagnosed with colon cancer, which had spread to my liver. Since then, I’ve had major surgery on my colon and two surgeries on my liver. I’ve had lots of chemo treatments during that time. I’ve seen doctors constantly. I’m still fighting a battle against cancer. But thanks to our wonderful God, I’m here today and doing well, and so happy to be speaking to you. My message is: no matter what happens to you, you can still be strong for the Lord.

People ask how I’ve dealt with cancer and kept my spiritual focus over the past three years. Well, I want to share with you 6 points that will help you focus on God. Life will not always be pleasant. You will have to deal with unpleasant things and hard times. Here is how you can stay strong for God:

(1) Take one day at a time. Live in the day God has given you.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

When I first learned I had cancer, the doctor informed me of all the treatments and things I would need to endure. It would take many months and maybe years to get rid of this cancer. It was not going to be easy. The thought of it all was overwhelming. But I needed to do what Jesus said. I couldn’t worry about the next day, or the next treatment, or the next surgery. I had a job to do. And that was to live for Jesus today.

We make it harder on ourselves when we try to bring tomorrow’s problems into today. Tomorrow may not even come. One thing is for sure: God has given us today, and we can rejoice in that. The Hebrew writer in Hebrews 3:13 commanded us to “exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today.'” That’s because what we do today matters regardless of what’s happening to us. If tomorrow looks gloomy, then forget it and focus on the now. Think: how can I make this day one that I can give God the glory? How can I live this day in service to Him? How can I use this day to encourage other people? You see, taking things one day at a time helps us focus on the things we actually have control over. None of us can control tomorrow. Tomorrow belongs only to the Lord.

(2) Stay strong by casting all your cares upon the Lord and trusting Him to do what’s best.

Please turn in your Bibles to 1 Peter 5:6-7. The apostle Peter said, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your acre upon Him, for He cares for you.”

Notice in this passage that: (a) God cares for you even when you are down and brought low. (b) You must cast all your care (concerns) upon Him. (c) The result is: He will exalt you. He will lift you up. Obeying 1Peter 5 means doing lots of praying. We can’t be strong if we don’t pray!

Consider Philippians 4:6-7. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

So, what should we be anxious about? Nothing! What should we tell God about? Everything! What will God give us? Peace. He will guard our hearts and minds. Friends, it works!

One of the saddest verses about sickness is 2 Chronicles 16:12. It says: “In the 39th year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his sickness was very severe; yet in his disease, he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians.”

Asa, who used to be courageous for God, was now too proud to pray. He did not trust God with this severe problem in his life. How foolish! Why would anyone not want to pray to the Creator? Why leave God out when you need Him the most? God is there for you. He is ready to help because He cares. Let’s trust Him with all the things that afflict us in life!

(3) Stay strong in God by allowing suffering to help you grow even stronger in faith.

Believe it or not, suffering is an excellent opportunity for us to grow spiritually. Consider the apostle Paul’s thorn in the flesh in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. Even though Paul continued to suffer in the flesh, God had a way to make him stronger in spirit. God can do the same for us. Through suffering, Paul learned humility, patience, and endurance. These are things he wouldn’t have learned otherwise. In suffering, we can also learn how to depend more on God.

Jesus suffered. And the Hebrew writer in 2:10 says that God made Him, the author of our salvation, perfect through sufferings. Suffering perfected Jesus. In 5:8, it says, “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” In the flesh, Jesus was required to obey and serve the Father. Suffering helped Him. It nudged Him to be obedient. For the faithful servant of God, suffering and the possibility of death can help you focus on the most important things in life. It prompts you to think about Heaven, being with God, and being free from suffering forever.

(4) Stay strong in God by looking for ways to help and encourage other people despite what’s happening to you.

According to Galatians 4:13-14, Paul preached the gospel despite his physical infirmity. Whatever it was, he didn’t let it stop him. Too often, people get so caught up in self-pity that they can only see their affliction. There’s so much more to see in life!

A difficult personal issue isn’t a free pass. It doesn’t excuse you from looking out for others. It didn’t excuse Jesus. While hanging on the cross, He was looking out for others! He arranged for the care of His mother, Mary, and prayed for the well-being of His enemies. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). Jesus died for you and me. And He never allowed problems to keep Him from His work of saving souls! Looking out for others will help you stay strong for God.

(5) Stay strong in God by keeping a cheerful attitude and giving thanks for all the good things.

Despite the discomforts of life, there are always good and positive things to see and hold on to. Rainbows come from storms. We need to see the rainbows more than the storms. We need to see the good things of the Lord and be thankful for them. I’m thankful for all my family has done to care for me. It shows they love me. I’m grateful for all the brethren who pray for me. What a blessing to know people are praying for us! I’m thankful for our God, who listens to prayer. And I’m thankful for our Savior who made it all possible.

We can be strong by obeying Hebrews 13:15: “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” If the persecuted brethren in Hebrews were encouraged to give thanks, shouldn’t we be doing that? There’s no sense in being sad when there’s so much for which to be happy!

(6) Be ready that no matter what happens, you’re prepared to meet the Lord. Being faithful to the end is what it is all about.

At the end of my talk, let me read a few passages about endurance:

Mark 13:13. “And You will be hated by all men for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

James 5:10-11. “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord — that the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”

Hebrews 12:1-2. “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

And finally, 2 Timothy 4:6-8. “I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

I hope what I’ve said will help you in life when it gets burdensome. God will always be there for us. He helps us daily and will never forsake us. Christ will always love us. He wants us to go home and be with Him. I can’t wait to be there with you.

January 2023 | GROW magazine