Not Against Flesh and Blood | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Not Against Flesh and Blood | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tammy Ortung
08/26/21
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Muffled sobs sounded as Angie crouched on the floor just inside the front door, her blotchy face buried in her hands. Why me? she cried.

“Your MRI results are in,” the soft female voice had said on the phone two days earlier. “The doctor wants you to come in to discuss the details.” This can’t be good, Angie thought. They would’ve told me if the tests had been clear, right?

She’d walked into the clinic nervous and apprehensive. Within minutes, a portly nurse escorted her into the examination room. “He’ll be with you shortly,” she said before closing the door behind her.

The doctor's eyes had been sad when he’d said, “I’m sorry Angie, the cancer’s back.”

Cancer. Not just a tumor resting on her spinal cord, but spots on her lungs, liver, and various other areas of her body. “Metastasized,” he’d said. “We still need to do more tests before we know how best to treat it,” he continued. “But, you should know it doesn’t look good. You might only have months.”

Worry gleefully watched the scene, eyes wide and speculative, practically drooling as he contemplated the many ways he could use this to completely discourage and immobilize her.

Meanwhile, Glimmer quietly hid in the corner, careful to avoid Worry’s notice. His bulky presence dominated the room, but she wasn’t afraid, just cautious. Her heart filled with compassion. She had to help Angie while somehow staying under Worry’s radar until she had reinforcements. She just needs to be reminded that God always has a plan, Glimmer thought. She needs to remember that He never lets us go through any situation without a reason.

Angie slept fitfully that night, rolling and fretting, blankets in complete disarray. Worry continued his attack. “How could God let this happen to you?” he whispered. “He doesn’t love you. You can’t trust him. He’s just going to let you die …” Worry persevered until the sun sparkled on the horizon. He, then, hurried off to torment another victim—only to return later that evening to begin again.

Glimmer refused to be intimidated. She would not cower. Instead she prayed. She knew that nothing was impossible for God. God is greater than anything Worry can throw my way, she thought. Two by two, more glimmers arrived each day, hovering in the corners and joining her in prayer, until the entire house sparkled with God’s powerful light. One night, when Worry returned he couldn’t get through the door. Or the windows. Or down the chimney. Eventually, he just shrugged and slithered off toward his next victim.

Angie rubbed her eyes as she slowly came awake. She couldn’t explain it, but after days of feeling sorry for herself, she suddenly felt lighter—hopeful. She rolled out of bed and landed on her knees.

“Father, help me see you in this. I trust that you have a plan. Please lead, guide, encourage, and strengthen me. Help me to be obedient as you use this for your glory.” Angie stood and started making the necessary phone calls.

“Oh my gosh, mom,” Cammy said. “How do you feel? Are you in a lot of pain? I’m taking the next flight out there.”

Angie smiled into the phone. “That would be nice sweetheart,” she said. “We can discuss the details then.”

She opened the door the next day and Cammy fell into her arms. “Mom, I’m so sorry this has happened.”

As Angie updated Cammy on her prognosis, her heart filled with joy. Their relationship had been strained in recent years. Maybe this is why God allowed this to happen, Angie thought. She’d prayed that God’s light would shine through her and Cammy would see the truth of His word, Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection, and embrace it as her own personal truth. Yet Cammy had never been willing to listen.

“Wow mom,” Cammy said. “I never thought your God was real, but you don’t seem anxious about this at all. Your face looks so serene. How can that be?”

They talked for hours, Cammy was finally willing to hear what Angie had been trying to share for years. By the end of the night, Cammy prayed for forgiveness and asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior. Angie was elated. Cancer seemed a small price to pay when compared to Cammy’s eternal destiny.

“Thank you, Lord, for building the bridge to begin again with Cammy,” Angie prayed later that night. “Forgive me for not trusting that your ways are always good.”

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