When someone hears a diagnosis of metastasized renal cell carcinoma, life stands still. Breaths are hard to take. Decisions are hard to make.

My husband had been delivered this diagnosis just three years after the death of our eight-month-old daughter, and just one year after the birth of our son. Life drastically changed again for our family. Once again, we had to learn the necessary questions to ask and obtain the correct answers to fight this dreaded disease while seeking direction for our lives.

Information about this type of cancer had to be gathered. There was no world wide web to search back then. We had to ask the doctors and trust their knowledge. Then, we had to make decisions on what treatment, where to go for treatment, how to pay for any treatment, and even if any treatment should be done. The decisions were vast and had to be made in a well-timed manner.

The answers were not easy to find.

Renal cell carcinoma, back then, could not be treated with standard chemotherapy or radiation that was available for other types of cancer. If the cancer had not spread, the tumor might have been removed by surgery; we did not have that option. There were two places in the United States that were running experimental trials for this type cancer—San Antonio, Texas, and Bethesda, Maryland.

I began to see God’s hand in moving our family to Fort Worth.

Had we stayed in Arkansas where we had lived from the start of our marriage, we would have faced an 11-hour drive from our home there. By living in Fort Worth at the time of the diagnosis, our drive was shortened to less than half of that time.

God knew the diagnosis was ahead of us. God knew the available treatment locations.

We fully believed God had worked out every detail of our move to Texas. He knew what we would be facing the following year. He placed us nearer to a research facility for my husband’s particular cancer. We just assumed we were being obedient to His calling to attend seminary.

God also knew the financial burden we would be facing.

At the beginning of the year, my husband suggested that I return to full-time employment with the government. His suggestion was six months prior to his diagnosis. With my position, God provided excellent health insurance coverage before the cancer was revealed.

The oncology research department personnel met with us in San Antonio to begin the testing and to explain the options. The possibilities for treatment were extremely limited. Surgery had to be done first to remove the kidney and the tumor traveling to his heart before any experimental drugs could be administered.

My husband’s chance of surviving the surgery alone was five percent. Only FIVE percent! Without agreeing to the surgery, my husband was told he might survive two more years.

How does a person make this huge decision with so little hope?

The decision ultimately belonged to my husband and him alone. He was the one who would have to endure all the physical pain created by the surgery and treatments

God knew he would have to choose his course of treatment. But we knew…

• God had led us right up to this moment.

• He had brought us through the most excruciating trial of our lives with the death of our daughter.

• He was still in control.

However, once again, we had questions that needed answers not specifically found in the Bible.

How do we make good choices without direct answers from God knowing it will determine the course of our lives?

I came across this verse a few months ago:

“…Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you….” 1 Chronicles 28:20

The word, act, caught my eye. God has given us free will to make choices in our lives. We must act in the strength and courage He gives those of us who are His children.

When cancer shows up, determine the best treatment. Don’t hang back when God gives a clear mission to help a friend. When a child needs a hug, give one. If prompted to write a word of encouragement, don’t delay. Act!

Knowledge and wisdom are important to gather. Once we have those, however, we have to step forward with that information, wisdom, trust, and faith. God knows exactly what we need and will provide His guidance through the Holy Spirit. We must trust that He wants the very best for us even in our toughest trials here on earth.

If we never moved our bodies, atrophy would set in; and physical function would cease. Faith and trust also have to progress in order to survive and grow spiritually. Bodies and faith must be exercised in order to grow.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8

God knows what is ahead. He will be with us as we travel forward in faith and trust in Him.

Listen closely to His next step for you.

Then, act.

Take a step in faith.

Trust God’s direction.

“With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory.” Psalm 73:24