As you may or may not know, October is breast cancer awareness month. Various organizations show their support of this worthy cause by displaying pink during the month and sponsoring charity events to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.
My mother was a breast cancer survivor as were my aunt and her daughter. By sheer luck of the DNA draw, my family history statistically makes me predisposed to the genetic likelihood that I could develop breast cancer.
Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Early detection is crucial for surviving breast cancer. We are blessed with 21st century technology that provides us with the tools needed to catch this disease in the early stages.
Because I’m considered “high risk” I’ve been having regular mammograms for two decades. The mammogram procedure – while moderately uncomfortable is something I do because I want to be a good steward of this earthen vessel God has entrusted to me.
I’m not going to lie to you – the hardest part of my yearly mammogram was never the actual procedure, but the waiting that comes afterwards. The enemy can whisper a whole lot of scary things to a girl during the 10 days it takes for test results. I used to get so bound up with dread and what if’s. I’d let those statistics compiled by experts tumble around in my brain rather than focusing on God’s Word.
Thank goodness God got a hold of me years ago and reminded me that His death on the cross delivered me from a life filled with fear and worry. His Word reminds me that I have an enemy who wants nothing more than to steal my joy and destroy my life — but Jesus came that I might have and enjoy my life.
I believe in the power of God that can break familial curses like depression, alcoholism, abuse and divorce – so why not breast cancer? Just because I swam in a certain family gene pool does not automatically guarantee I will suffer the same afflictions of my female ancestors.
There are no guarantees for any of us with regards to health issues. I prefer to even the odds by doing my part to be proactive. I eat right, exercise regularly, do monthly breast self-exams; have a yearly mammogram AND cast my cares and worries on God. I choose to focus on who my Heavenly Father is and the family I’ve been adopted into, not the family gene pool I was born into.
My Father – my Abba – my Daddy is not the father of fear. I know He won’t allow anything more into my life than I can handle. I know He causes everything to work together for good to those who love him and have been called according to his purpose. I know my Daddy is my refuge and my strength. His name is a strong tower that I can run in to and be safe.
That’s the Daddy who addopted me. Whose your Daddy?
Let everything that has breasts praise the Lord!
Blessings …
Kathy
www.kathleenkurlin.com
Excellent job, Kathy! I love how you can be serious and hysterical at the same time. Thanks for sharing.
I agree, Ana! Kathy has a great God-given talent. I have always been a fan. Regarding the content… Amen Sister! God can and does break familial curses. Halleluiah! To my sisters in Christ: Get annual Mammograms!!!!
Yes, I agree! I lost my grandmother (my mom’s mom), and my dad’s sister to breast cancer. I get a mammogram every year right around Valentine’s Day. I have not ever worried about getting breast cancer though, even though my doctors have told me I’m twice as likely to get it.
I nursed all my kids, and I’ve been told nursing gives me a fighting chance. And, like you, I check my breasts and do the yearly mammogram.
What I dread is not the waiting for ten day, but the actual test itself. I wish they had a better way to take the xrays! OUCH! 😉