Which Outcome… Great or Miraculous?

Which Outcome… Great or Miraculous?

On Thursday, we had a consultation with the endocrinologist who will be presiding over Judah’s case. Having reviewed the full pathology deriving from Judah’s surgery this Monday, she confirmed last week’s preliminary analysis — there is cancer in Judah’s thyroid. She also reiterated the plan: surgically remove Judah’s entire thyroid and any other cancerous lymph nodes through an incision at the base of his neck. According to the endocrinologist “we’re in a race to keep it from moving into his lungs, which can complicate things considerably,” so we have no time to waste.

Next week, they plan to: 1) do an ultrasound of his entire neck to find out exactly which nodes have to go and, 2) conduct a CT scan of his chest to make sure the cancer hasn’t moved into his lungs. The following week, surgery. The data suggests a 95% probability of survival following this process. For that reason, she said, “if you had to choose one cancer to battle, it would be this one.” The only significant downside to the thyroidectomy is that people without a thyroid must take one thyroid hormone replacement pill each day for the rest of their lives.

Yesterday afternoon, on the way home from the hospital, Deborah and I realized that a choice was being laid before us… Which outcome will be ours?

A great one? Or a miraculous one?

What do I mean?

By most standards, sacrificing the thyroid to beat this cancer would be considered a great outcome. Glory to God! Judah lives a long, healthy life. And we all continue lifting up the name of Jesus!

But why should we just “settle” for sacrificing his thyroid? Why shouldn’t we press in for something better? A miracle?

After all, doesn’t the Bible say, “By his stripes we are healed?” (Isaiah 53:5). Doesn’t the Bible teach that though the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy, Jesus offers us abundant life? (John 10:10) Doesn’t the Bible also say that Jesus “went around doing good and healing ALL who were under the power of the devil?” (Acts 10:38) And for all of us today, living in the 21st century, doesn’t the Bible give the sick a COMMAND and a PROMISE? “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up…” (James 5:14-15)

Yeah, I know… We’ve all prayed some prayers before that didn’t get answered. I wish I had an easy explanation for this.

I totally get it! There’s RISK associated with stepping out and exercising our faith in God’s word.

I’m convinced that fear stops many Christians from engaging in the fight-of-faith for healing. When prayers go unanswered it can look and feel like failure.

But, to quote the old sports adage, we miss 100% of the shots we don’t take!

Had Peter not exercised his faith for a miracle, he would have never walked on water. (Matthew 14:29) Had Peter not exercised his faith for a miracle, he wouldn’t have raised the cripple to his feet. (Acts 9:32-34)

One morning this week during my devotion time, I had a very strong impression from the Holy Spirit, “You don’t have to give up Judah’s thyroid to this devilish cancer. Fight for this!”

Then, on Wednesday night, Deborah had a very clear dream that concluded with these words: “Don’t concede!” The definition of “concede” is fascinating. It means “to admit something in an unwilling way; to admit that you have been defeated and stop trying to win; or to give away something unwillingly.”

SO, we’ve made our choice.

We refuse to just lay down and give up Judah’s thyroid without a fight. We’re praying for a miracle! Our kids and our church are joining us in faith.

Between now and the final round of tests next week, we’ll be doing a full-court press against the enemy’s position. We’re praying for a miraculous healing to take place in his thyroid so that a thyroidectomy is unnecessary.

Our commitment is this…

Deborah and I will be fasting food this week until the final round of testing is completed this coming week. Instead of eating, we’ll be praying and declaring God’s word over this situation.

Will anyone join us?

Thank you for pressing in, not just for the great, but for the miraculous!

Let’s take the shot!

For Judah and the glory of Jesus,

Eric and Deborah