Breathtaking News

Breathtaking News

We hoped for peace, but no peace came. We hoped for a time of healing, but found only terror. Jeremiah 8:15

The Israelites had heard God’s warnings through the prophet Jeremiah, yet they failed to heed his commands. Neither did they seek forgiveness for their sins. Thus, they sealed their fate—and instead of healing, they found only terror.

In our day and age, it seems we haven’t changed much. There are still many who don’t heed God’s warnings, and they miss their chance to be healed.

Dylan was diagnosed with asthma at an early age, requiring daily breathing treatments. Both of his parents smoked, which made a difficult situation worse.

Then, during his teen years, Dylan himself started smoking. By his twenties, he was a three-pack-a-day smoker. Eventually, his asthma morphed into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and as a result, he was hospitalized two or three times a year.

Each time Dylan saw a doctor, he received an urgent warning. Both his pulmonologist and I told him there could be severe consequences from his smoking.

“I know, I know. I’ve got to quit,” he said each time he was confronted. “But it’s so hard when everyone around me is smoking.”

“You’re right,” I said. “It is hard. But you’re in control of your own destiny—and the only way to improve your health is to quit smoking.”

Into his thirties, I heard the same song and dance. “I know, I know, I need to quit.” Until one day when Dylan’s complaint changed.

“I coughed up blood this morning. Is that bad?”

When the results came back from a CT scan and a bronchoscopy, I had the sad duty of informing Dylan that he had lung cancer, which had metastasized to his liver.

“We’ll do everything we can,” I said, “but this type of cancer is very aggressive. We’ll try to keep you comfortable and pain-free on your journey, and we’ll pray for you daily.”

As the harsh reality set in, Dylan’s face registered shock and horror. He was not prepared for his life to come down to this. Sadly, the time was past for him to change course for the better. Now he could only face the consequences of his lifelong choices.

TODAY’S RX

If you’ve been ignoring God’s warnings in your life, repent now and seek healing and forgiveness before it’s too late.

Lord, I am weak in so many ways. I give in to temptation, only to be met with regret. Please give me the strength to rise above temptation and to rely on you for complete fulfillment in my life.