There is a lot of power to be gained when you hear someone else talk about their pain and struggle. Their story of rising up from the ashes lets us know that there is hope. It also lets us know that it isn’t a fairy tale ending or a miraculous cure that prompts the telling of the story.
I was reminded of that as I listened to Rick and Beverly Ross at our church this weekend. Aside from the fact that I just love them as people, I appreciate their willingness to tell the story that’s being written into their lives. I appreciate that they tell it with passion and without sugarcoating.
The current storm is cancer for her. Third time. Don’t tell me that doesn’t do something to your faith … one way or another. It’s not up to me to share their story here - but just let it be known that when you can face your own cancer and the cancer of your loved one, you find a way to rise up. At least, when you face your giants with faith, you rise up even when it hurts.
Listening to them talk was a great experience, but watching them is just as instructive. The obvious support and strength they gain from one another is vivid. The way they keep pointing other people to Jesus tells me that this is the fountain of their own healing. I’ve watched them do this before, such as in the loss of their beautiful daughter Jenny. This is not their first time on the battlefield.
It’s not yours either. I do not even know who is reading this, but I know you have faced some awful battles. You have struggled, hurt, threatened to give up, refused to quit, hurt some more. This is what life in this broken world does to us. It beats us down. But we do not have to stay down, we can rise up. It’s important to understand what rising up is NOT:
Rising up is not pretending there are no more hurts.
Rising up is not acting like everything is great when inside we are cratering.
Rising up is not a big miraculous healing.
Rising up is not just trying harder.
Rising up is not depending on ourselves.
Whether you are facing cancer or some other terrible disease or loss or divorce or anything that is threatening to crush your faith, decide each day to rise up.
Rise up and be thankful for small blessings, and naming them.
Rise up and have an earnest conversation with God about your path.
Rise up and call a friend and allow them to lift your spirits, even if for a short moment.
Rise up and decide to let God lead your path forward - especially when you cannot see what lies ahead.
Rise up and only think about today. Refuse to be burdened with the past or the future.
I recently finished reading the book of Job again. Even though I know better, I always think I’m going to gain some new insight about the big question: WHY? And I don’t. In a way, I am glad it is that way. I don’t need to read another story about how someone went through something terrible and in the end, it all turned out OK. The reality is that sometimes it does not all get wrapped up in a pretty bow. Yes, Job regained a new family and other blessings. But he still suffered significant and irreplaceable losses. We need to know that there is value to hanging on to God through our most difficult challenges and letting Him carry us through. If anything, Job at least learned that to make it through this life you can’t count on your possessions, friends, or even your own health. Beyond all of those “essentials” is THE Essential. God.
I’ve learned a lot through my own pain, and through the painful stories of beacons like Rick and Beverly. We get bad news sometimes in life. To rise up means that any defeat is temporary. Even if I am told that I am “terminal”, there are realities and promises that go beyond my last breath. I believe that strength only comes through one who knows what it is to rise up after what appears to be the end.
…I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen… - Matthew 28:5-6, NLT
That’s why we can rise up when we can’t. The healing is found in following Him.
You can follow Beverly Ross on her Facebook page HERE. She is the director of the Wise County Christian Counseling and the co-author of Scarred Hope, along with her son, Josh Ross.
Rick Ross can be followed on Facebook HERE. He is the minister for the Decatur, TX Church of Christ (LINK).