She rubbed my arm with a sober look as I groggily awakened from the anesthesia. Words she must be forced to say multiple times a day, suddenly changed the trajectory of my life, “I’m sorry, you have cancer.” My first thought was this must be so hard for her.

What surprised me most, at that moment, was the complete and total peace that settled into my soul. It was unexplainable, except, I recognized it. This was the first time I had heard that diagnosis, however it wasn’t the first time I heard devastating news. Losing a brother, a mother, a father and spending 30 days in the hospital with my husband provided opportunities to experience this protective barrier of peace.

Call me weird, but I knew we were about to go on a journey, and it felt exhilarating! Can I be honest? The year leading up to this was filled with change. We changed states, churches, job status, friendships and healthcare. In that rapid exchange, my seeking heart had taken a backseat to the demands of life. I allowed my relationship with my Savior to simmer until we got settled.

Suddenly this day, I saw it as God giving me an invitation to set everything else aside — to lean in and listen. Honestly it felt like a cozy place to land, right in His arms. As I listened, He gave me enough courage to see the next step. And instead of being fearful I was joyful. Something was brewing that I couldn’t comprehend. He assured me that He was working ALL things together for my good and for others we would encounter along the way.

He beckoned me to come and I ran to Him, the one who knit me together. I was a winner, whether He healed me or took me home to Heaven; His protection was secure. What I discovered immediately was the more I shared “the peace that passes all understanding” with others, the more healing happened beyond my diagnosis. Radio stations asked me to share about this peace from Washington to Iowa to NC and beyond. We’ve prayed, encouraged and testified to God’s goodness through any struggle.

John chapter 17 has always been one of my favorites because Jesus, our Lord, taught us the most important lesson in dealing with life — prayer. He prayed for Himself, then He prayed for His friends, then He prayed for YOU and ME!

In our lives we all encounter separation and hurt. We know that people have good intentions but many of them don’t stick around when the going gets tough or circumstances change. But in this passage, we see the most beautiful example of sacrificial love.

His glory shines throughout this chapter but here in these two verses He is the lifeline that we all need to KNOW in the depths of our being. He prayed for two things here: our protection and for us to be ONE.

Relationships are vital in our life. Jesus wrote this truth into the fabric of our being and modeled it every moment. Here at the end of His life He puts an exclamation mark on this story He’s been writing. He knows that we will need help holding onto each another. He is aware that Satan will do everything in his power to divide and destroy us.

God gave us His Word so that we could see how to handle tough times. In 2 Chronicles 20:15 we read, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

Jesus reminds us in John 17:11-12, “protect them by the power of your name … and make them one.” John chapter 16 ends with Jesus telling us, “in this world YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE, but take heart, I’ve overcome the world.” [Emphasis is mine.]

The battle cry for me, as I heard the word cancer, was not fear or discouragement. For me it was an internal squeal of excitement, “LET’S GO!” Because wherever we were going I knew it would be an adventure to watch Him protect and unite.

Since this battle began, countless families have told me His peace and light are healing their relationships. However the greatest gift along the journey has been to hear people ask how they too can have this hope, peace and light.

To God be the glory for the things He has done.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)