Christianity Oasis Forum

[Sylvia]

Hi My Friends
I had my second round of Chemo on Dec 14th. My next one is January 4th.
I am doing ok. I am handling the side effects.

Christmas Day was hard. I thought I should spend it with my husband's family. They are all mourning the loss of him and would understand if I cried.
I didn't want to spend it with Grandchildren because Christmas is a special time for little ones.
I pictured in my head that Christmas day would be this day of bonding between me and his family. Especially his eighty year old Mother.
When I got to my brother-in-law's house he had already started drinking shortly after getting up that morning. As people started arriving, everyone joined in. Even my elderly Mother-in-law who never drinks, had whiskey straight up. They all were binge drinking. I sat there with my water but inside I wanted to drink too. It was harder and harder as time went on.
Then I went into their bathroom and prayed for Jesus to give me His strength. He knows I too used to binge drink when I was hurting or depressed. It's been 2 1/2 years since I had a drink.
When I went and sat down again, the desire to drink went away and I had a cup of tea. But by 4pm I was getting tired and they all wanted to play poker and were all pretty wasted. So, I went home.
I thanked God for helping me. But now with my hubby not here to handle his family and to make quick exits when we needed too; I felt so alone.
But I wasn't.
Then this morning, I have been reading a devotional by "Oswald Chambers" called "My Utmost for His Highest"
I want to tell you a little of what I read this morning:

"We are apt to say- "It is not in the least likely that having been through the supreme crisis, I shall turn now to the things of the world." Do not forecast where the temptation will come, it is the least likely thing that is the peril. In the aftermath of a great spiritual transaction the "retired sphere of the leasts" begins to tell; it is not dominant, but remember it is there, and if you are not warned, it will trip you up. You have remained true to God under great and intense trials, now beware of the undercurrent.
Unguarded strength is double weakness because that is where the "retired sphere of the leasts" saps.
"Kept by the power of God" - that is the only safety.

" There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
(1 Corin. 10:13)

We always must be alert to satan trying to trip us up. When we go through some big trial and feel we are so much more stronger Christians because of it; we must never forget that it can be some "retired sphere of the leasts" (some weakness you haven't dealt with in a long time)
that is still there, waiting for you if you put your guard down.
God is faithful, He loves us, and will always make a way to escape but we have to first be open to Him and admit we still need His help.
Love You All
Sylvia

[Mackenaw]

Hello Sylvia

God bless you this day.

I am so glad to hear from you, as you have been on my mind and in my prayers. I'm glad to hear that your treatments have been tolerable and that you are staying very close to The Lord.

God is Good to give us strength to overcome.

Looking forward to reading your future posts, Sylvia.

God bless and keep you.
Love,
Mack

[realtmg]

AMEN.
You are such an inspiration to me sis.
I knew this Christmas would be tough on you and you've been in my thoughts. Thanks for the update and thanks for giving us a praise report of how God's power helped you overcome.
We miss you!

Luv ya

Real

[morningrain]

God Bless you Sylvia, just as God gave you the strength to get through Christmas He's giving you the strength to get through the chemo and everything else. It's a true inspiration reading this post this morning.

Had my own incident on Christmas day which triggered me. At that temptation started, at my moms she had a big bottle of pills and i could have gotten a hand full if i wanted and it was very tempting. Then we left and went to my brother n laws and there he keeps me a bottle a scotch the same bottle of scotch has been sitting there for 6 yrs. I won't drink it. The last time having a drink from that bottle has been mabe three years ago. Then when i didn't get me a drink he opened his bar up to all kinds of drinks he kept trying to get me to drink. After about an hour or so finally got my mind set on something else other then taking a drink. Felt sort of bad though the rest of the day cause the temptation was so great but felt good at the same time i didn't give in to it.

So your post here was such an inspiration to read this morning, thank you for coming and sharing. You're in my prayers Sylvia as you go through the chemo and all. God has you close to Him.

Lord Bless
angel

[lizzie]

I luv u sylvia

I miss u very much sister. I hope you are well and that we will hear from you soon. GBU