Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

                       There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, my stomach knotted up in fear. I felt overwhelmed with everything I now had to learn and do. What type of surgery should I have? When would radiation begin? How much chemotherapy would I need, if any?

Researching the options consumed many hours, because there were numerous unknown factors to this disease. Cancer was often too scary to even contemplate. I didn’t want to make any of the difficult choices presented to me. One morning I cried out to God, “I can’t do all of this!”

Reading this passage from Ecclesiastes reminded me that I didn’t have to complete everything all at once. Our ever-present Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whispered in my heart. You only need to perform one task at a time. My tight shoulders relaxed and a smile spread across my face. What a relief to realize I didn’t have to make all the decisions right away.

Day after day, I spoke with doctors and made plans for scans, tests, and surgeries. Week by week, I checked appointments and procedures off the list. Finally, after several long months, I started on the road to recovery.

While that stage of my life was very challenging, I felt God’s presence, comfort, and guidance all along the way. I don’t know what further struggles or joys the future will bring. However, I am thankful that our Sovereign Lord has ordained a time for everything.

Prayer: Father, help us rest in you, knowing that you direct the details of each day.

Thought for the Day: God takes us step-by-step through tasks that feel overwhelming.