In the Midst of the Valley: Hope for Your Cancer Journey

By J.K. Stewart

Solid Mass. Biopsy. Cancer.

Perhaps you’ve heard these words or love someone who has.

In the Midst of the Valley offers hope from the Scriptures and prayers from the heart of someone who’s been there. Each of the ninety readings points to the One who brings peace, comfort, and strength. The One who is bigger than cancer. The One who will walk you through your deepest valley.

Find hope for your cancer journey. The hope found in Christ.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.K. Stewart
• Release date: Feb 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310881077

J.K. Stewart

On July 31, 2012, J.K. Stewart heard the three words no one wants to hear. “Well, it’s cancer.” After her first chemotherapy treatment, she sensed God’s call to cancer ministry. Within six months, she started a women’s cancer support group. Two years later, she launched Hope for the Valley, a website of devotions and prayers for women with cancer. In 2017, she founded More Precious than Gold Ministries, a 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry that offers spiritual support to women facing cancer. Jeanine lives in Texas with her husband, dog, and herd of cats.

Book preview

In the Midst of the Valley

Hope for Your Cancer Journey

A Devotional

By J.K. Stewart

Amazon Edition

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189 USA. All rights reserved.

Cover design by Pixel Studio, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Cover photo by Paul McGowan, pixabay.com

In the Midst of the Valley

Copyright 2016 J.K. Stewart

Amazon Edition, License Notes. Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

To Richard. Thank you for loving and supporting me.

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Frank Ball and the Lamb of God Writers for your helpful critique and encouragement.

Thanks, too, to the Prayer Warriors Cancer Support Group. I appreciate your friendship, prayers, and love.

Contents

Introduction

Fear and Anxiety

Be Still, and Know He is God

Peace in the Midst of the Storm

Resting in Him

May I Pray for You?

He Will Carry You

The Lilies of the Field

Green Pastures

May I Pray for You?

Hope

Calculating Without God

His Everlasting Love

May I Pray for You?

The Unknowns

A Good Word

Trials and Suffering

I Didn’t Sign Up for This

Count it All Joy

Your Storm Has a Purpose

May I Pray for You?

When God’s Quiet

The Dry and Thirsty Land

To Everything There is a Season

May I Pray for You?

God’s Presence

His Compassion Fails Not

Joy and Patience

May I Pray for You?

His Grace is Sufficient

Suffering for His Greater Purpose

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant

May I Pray for You?

Let Patience Have Its Perfect Work

Waiting on Him

Prayer

Shut Your Door

Keep Knocking

She Glorified God

May I Pray for You?

Praying for Wisdom

His Delight

The Touch of the Savior

May I Pray for You?

Pray Without Ceasing

Be of Good Cheer, Daughter

He’s Waiting

May I Pray for You?

Pray and Not Lose Heart

Joy Comes in the Morning

He is Able

May I Pray for You?

Don’t Give Up

The Words of Our Mouths

Faith

Trusting Him with All Your Heart

Lord, if You’re Willing

A Future and a Hope

May I Pray for You?

The Helper

Trusting Him

Expect the Unexpected

May I Pray for You?

Help My Unbelief

Turn Your Eyes to Him

Facing Your Giant

May I Pray for You?

The Light to Our Paths

The One Who Fed the Five Thousand

The Blood of the Lamb

God’s Goodness

The Valley of Weeping

Under His Wings

Dessert Awaits

May I Pray for You?

Showers of Blessing

Christ in You, the Hope of Glory

The Real Big C

May I Pray for You?

His Masterpiece

He’s Watching Over You

He Cares for His Own

May I Pray for You?

He is Good

Sleepless Nights

His Faithfulness

May I Pray for You?

Remember His Faithfulness

Amazing Love

Growing Closer to Him

The New Road

Loving the Lord Your God

Investing in God’s Kingdom

May I Pray for You?

The Hidden Treasure

The City on the Hill

May I Pray for You?

Appendix I

My Story

Appendix II

The Ticket to Heaven

Notes

Introduction

As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools. — Psalm 84:6

Well, it’s cancer.

Those three words changed my life. I had plans, and they didn’t include getting sick. But when a yearly mammogram revealed a solid mass in my right breast, I had no choice but to put my life on hold and face cancer head-on.

I couldn’t have passed through the Valley of Baca, or the Valley of Weeping, without the Lord Jesus Christ. He sustained me. He encouraged me. He carried me when I couldn’t go on.

And He’ll do the same for you.

Each woman’s situation is different. For some, cancer is a brief interruption. For others, the excursion is months of doctors’ appointments, surgeries, and treatments. And for yet others, the journey becomes a way of life.

Whatever your situation may be, this devotional is for you.

May the words from my heart and the prayers from my soul assist you in drawing closer to Him.

Lord, as this dear one passes through the Valley of Baca, may she experience the hope that’s found in You. May she sense Your presence, guidance, and faithfulness. May her valley be filled with the blessings only You can give. In Jesus’ name, amen.

***

Fear and Anxiety

Be Still, and Know He is God

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? — Psalm 27:1

When told I had a solid mass in my right breast, fear roared like the mighty waves of the Pacific. A solid mass? What does that mean? Cancer? Although the doctor didn’t say the c-word, five days later I was told yes, I indeed had cancer.

So how do we, as believers in Jesus Christ, process news like that? How do we, despite our faith, despite trusting the sovereignty of God, despite believing all things work together for good to those who love Him, not be afraid?

As Christians, we have Someone the world doesn’t know. Someone who fights for us. Someone who whispers, Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). But in our frail human condition, we still fear. So what do we do?

We run to Him. We weep. We share our struggles. Going to Him helps us. Lamenting brings relief. Peace. Comfort.

Have you shared your fears with Jesus? Have you wept before His throne? Have you cried out, Lord, help me?

Climb onto His lap. Allow Him to wrap His loving arms around you, pull you close, and whisper, Be still, and know that I am God.

Lord, You are our light, our salvation, and our strength. May we rest in You.

***

Peace in the Midst of the Storm

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. — Psalm 4:8

Two nights ago, severe weather rolled across Texas. The storms were predicted