Cancer changes perspective

Guest post by Jackie Eyberg

I hadn’t really heard the voice of God until I received my diagnosis of breast cancer. On Feb. 6, 2020, I was diagnosed. This day changed my perspective on life and my relationship with God.

Before my diagnosis I was busy. I am a mom to three young children and work full time as a teacher. I was trying to do it all and wasn’t doing it all very well. There were times when I was working that I would hear God tell me to slow down, but I didn’t know how. I would rush to get to work, rush to get home and make dinner and then try to spend time with my kids while trying to keep up with my teacher work and the work of keeping a house in order. I wasn’t spending quality time with God or getting filled up in the word. I was rushing through each day and not enjoying life.

After my diagnosis, I took a leave from my teaching job so I could focus on my chemotherapy treatment and getting better. This was hard for me because I love teaching. I feel teaching is my God-given purpose and what I was created to do. But I knew I had to do this to slow down. I was looking forward to spending my days at home reading and spending time with God. Then COVID-19 hit. My kids were home with me and I was their teacher now. 

I am finding ways to slow down and be with God. Every morning, I get up early before my kids wake up to spend time with God. My church has been having online devotions which get me into the word. I have also been reading a devotion and reading the Bible in a year. The more reading of the Bible that I do, the more God is speaking to me. In the stories of the Bible, I hear different people going through trials and putting their trust in Jesus more. God is teaching me to trust him more with my future. I am trying to give up the control in my life and let God control every area. I am putting my faith over my fears. Romans 12:12 has been my theme verse during my cancer journey: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

I am learning to take one day at a time and one chemo treatment at a time. I am trying to focus on each day and what is really important in life. Cancer is teaching me to slow down and let God take care of my worries and concerns. I am learning to listen to God more and what he wants for my life instead of what I want. I hope my story encourages you today!