Still amazes me to see that.  TEN26.  You see four years ago on October 26^th (TEN26), my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  It’s a date that will forever bind our family.  On that date we became cancer survivors.  All of us, because cancer doesn’t ever effect just one person.  Let me give it to you straight from my husband’s blog.

Four years ago today I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  That’s the day I discovered a few things about my life: the true meaning of friendship, the love and support of my family, and the strength and peace that only God can give.  It’s the day I became a cancer survivor!

God gave me the courage to face it, the knowledge and wisdom to fight it, and His grace to beat it.. . .

. . . Here’s the long story short – I was never in much pain, I was walking around the OSU campus the day after surgery, and my recovery exceeded my expectations.  Three weeks after my surgery I was back at the gym working out.  I returned to work after 2 weeks.  Since my surgery I have run 6 marathons and countless other events.  In closing, the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System is considered the finest equipment for robotic prostatectomy and OSU is the premier hospital for this surgery.  But it’s more than equipment and expertise.  Through my cancer journey I found out the true meaning of friendship, the love and support of my family, and the strength and peace that only God can give.

I’m a survivor!

(See Don’s blog at http://ten26.wordpress.com/2009/10/26/ten26-four-years-ago/)

Quite a story.  I’m sure there are multitudes of cancer survivor stories.  They never cease to amaze me because of the wretchedness of the disease.

Makes me think . . .

Overcomer.  Surviving is a wonderful thing but how about the word overcome.  That word is in scripture a lot.  Here’s what it means:  to conquer; to carry off the victory.  The other words that are used to mean the same thing are: overpower, prevail, conquer, victorious.  Strong words, huh?  Go with me and let’s discover just a little bit about what God says about overcoming and overcomers.

The apostle John is being shown the glories of heaven.  Worship is everywhere but yet there is none found worthy (legally qualified) to open a document.  John begins to weep but is told to stop and look.

“. . . behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.  And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, . . .”                -Rev. 5:5-6-

This “Lamb” is none other than the Lord Jesus.  We see that He is the only one found in heaven, on the earth, or under the earth that is worthy (legally qualified) to open the book and break its seals.  (Rev. 5:3)  He has Overcome.  That is what makes Him worthy to open the book.  What has He overcome?

The World – John 16:33 – “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Sin and Death – I Corinthians 15: 17, 55-57 - “and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. . . ‘O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?’  The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, Who give us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Satan – I John 3:8b – “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.”

Then we are told a marvelous thing.  Because He has overcome, we are now overcomers as well.  That is, if we belong to Him.

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them (false teachers from the pervious verses); because greater is He Who is in you that he who is in the world.” -I John 4:4-

(To really get the picture of this you need to read and study the passages in Revelation that speak of us being overcomers.  Revelation chapters 2 and 3.)

Being a cancer survivor is incredible.  Being an overcomer in this life is almost incomprehensible.  God in us.  His life flowing through us.  Overcoming.  We now have a position that is from victory not wishing and hoping that there will be victory.  All because the Lamb has Overcome all on our behalf.

See Felicia’s other posts in the Makes Me Think series

Makes Me Think … of My Eternal Inheritance

Makes Me Think … of Life!

Makes Me Think … Homecoming

Makes Me Think … Not a Resurface