Seeking Victory over our Challenging Trials & Tribulations
It seems that most families have a history of some disease, such as cancer, diabetes, heart trouble, etc. Well, my family has both diabetes and cancer. My dad died of prostate cancer which I think was the same with his dad, my grandfather. I know these diseases are mostly considered as being hereditary, passed down from generation to generation but when I look around, I see that most families have a similar history of some kind of disease. Anyway, when I study the bible and consider how Job survived his devastations, I see that the Scriptures indicate that the evil one is the one that is responsible for these tragedies in our lives so I choose to take a spiritual view seeking God's divine help as other men of God did in the bible.
Anyways, I want to Thank you!, for taking a moment to leave the btw website and share in my thoughts and consider my prayer requests in finding victory over this dark cloud of which I believe the evil one has placed over my life.
On June 10th 2010, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a fast growing kind of cancer. For me, the “fast growing” induces fear and I personally believe that it has Satan’s signature written all over it. But God has not given His children a spirit of fear, therefore, my decision is to turn my back to that fear and turn my face to the hope that is found in God’s love and grace. With this decision in mind, on June 10th 2010, I also chose to be a cancer survivor. Hopefully in the physical sense, but especially in the spiritual. Through Christ, my heart is set towards overcoming this trial. I place my trust in God, and in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, for endurance in my weakness, through His strength, to overcome this dark cloud, experiencing a true thankfulness for God’s grace in my life. It is my deepest desire that I will use and take advantage of this against the evils of Satan and learn all that God has provided for me during this time. In the flesh, this is a trial, but in Christ, my heart is focused on finding victory over my weaknesses. When my wife and I lost our son Joel in a tragic traffic accident, I found that due to that tremendous loss, I now have a very close bond with others that have gone through similar tragedies. There is a close connection that is experienced when we share in similar trials. I have studied considerably about divine healing and have hoped to find answers as to why it seems that God does not always heal. I sincerely consider this infirmity as being a chapter in my life where I will better understand how our heavenly Fathers works with us and through us, through Christ, in our times of trouble. I believe it has already been revealed to me that divine healing is not always the best witnessing tool against Satan but being a cancer survivor in spirit, is! In other words, not allowing this infirmity to take my joy in Christ is being a cancer survivor of this trial, spiritually. The other thought and equally important is that however the outcome, I will have a deeper bond and understanding with others that are going through very similar physical and emotional trials.
I can see some good in all of this, finding that connection, in the love of God with others that are struggling with similar issues. And if this is God’s plan for me, then rejoice with me but also pray that I will not look at the storm as Satan wants me to do but that I will look fully into the grace of God in the same eyes that the apostle Paul had when he fully accepted that God’s grace was sufficient for him. This is my prayer request that my faith will mature like the apostle Paul. Would I like to be healed? In the flesh, yes! But that would benefit me the most. But being a spiritual cancer survivor would be a much better benefit for others that God places in our lives. I think the later is best. So pray that God will veil the storm from my eyes and open my eyes to see the depths of His grace and to fulfill His will in my life, for I have chosen to be a cancer survivor, in Christ!
My surgery is scheduled for July 6th. My doctor said that we would not know how much this cancer has spread, if any, until we do the surgery. I will keep you informed as I move forward, most importantly spiritually and also physically. Also, I am very open about this so if anyone has any questions, or words of encouragement, feel free to give me a call at 316-744-2841 or email me at: wayne(at)christnus.com.
Love you guys, hope to see you at our upcoming events! ... Wayne Eck
The Apostle Paul said this about his infirmity: 2 Corinthians 12:9. And He (the Lord) said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Dealing with fear: 2 Timothy 1:7. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
The testing of our faith: 1 Peter 1:6. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7. that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
Cancer update:
Many of you know that June 10th 2010, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a rather fast growing kind of cancer. On July 6th I had surgery and I'm now at home recovering. The surgery went well. We will not know until when the lab results come back, if that cancer has spread, or not. I'm trusting God that all is well. I view this whole experience as a positive experience and learned a lot about myself and cancer. The support that I have received from my family of friends has abundantly touched our hearts, for sure. Thanks so much for all your prayers and blessings. By the way, for you guys that might be afraid of prostrate surgery, truthfully, it's a walk in the park. No joke! A little sore getting up out of the recliner but take a pill and enjoy the movies!...Wayne & Sarah Eck
Update 07/14/2010: Just got back from the doctor and was given a clean bill of health. The lab results came back negative, no sign of cancer so he believes he got it all. I do have to go back monthly to have blood work done to make sure. First thing I did when I got home was to take my trike for a ride in 100+ degree temperatures. You know, that was a great ride without that dark hovering cloud that had been there! Picture below show the great big smile from the heart! Anyways, a great big thanks for all the prayers and for a great and awesome God that can deliver us from the evil one! Amen!! WE
Surgery on the 6th, 8 days later, I'm riding again!
By the way, for you guys that might be afraid of prostrate surgery, truthfully, it's a walk in the park. No joke! Maybe just a little sore getting up out of the recliner but take a pill and enjoy the movies! I view this whole experience as a positive experience and learned a lot about myself and cancer. The support that I have received from my family of friends has abundantly touched our hearts, for sure. Thanks so much for all your prayers and blessings and a loving praise to God for such a great and awesome God that can deliver us from the evil one! Amen!! ...Wayne & Sarah Eck
Update 11/12/2010: Doing good! My PSA is "0". The reason the doctor requires me to have regularly scheduled blood work is that sometimes the cancer after surgery can come back and one of the ways to discover this is through the PSA number of the blood work. Those with an aggressive cancer has a more increased chance of that happening. On a scale of 2-10, my cancer was a 7. I have now completed the thirty day and the ninety day and both came back with a "0" PSA which is what we are looking for. My next blood work is scheduled in six months, May 13th, 2011. Thanks for all your prayers!
Returning to the BTW websites: