The Weekly Encourager – August 24, 2015 – Losing Your Hair

My friend is going through chemotherapy and losing her hair. This is understandably upsetting for someone who has had a full head of beautiful thick wavy hair for as long as I've known her. It's always been one of her most attractive feminine features. She wrote, “I rubbed my head when I woke up and something hit my face and I realized my hand was full of hair and it was dropping back onto my face (and was on my pillow).” The next day, “a huge amount came out in the shower, and I emerged looking akin to the Phantom after being unmasked….I had expected losing my hair to be the hardest thing so far and it indeed was.” Then she says it took her a couple of days to let her boyfriend see her without a head covering, but when she finally braved it, “he was so loving and held me when the tears began again, treating me as if I were as attractive as ever – such a dear man. I am so blessed.”

My heart goes out to this dear lady, and I wrote back to her, “You ARE as attractive as ever! The great God who created you has numbered every hair on your head (and on your pillow). He has made you forgiven, accepted, redeemed, and beautiful in Christ Jesus. Yes, it is painful, but the temporary loss of physical beauty is a sign of His deepest love. It will serve to draw you closer to Him, as you bask in the reflected light of His eternal beauty with the true and lasting beauty of a soul who is loved by God. You have always radiated with an inner light; now the Lord will bring that to the fore, unhindered by the distraction of physical appearance. He wants His light to shine out from you as an undeniable witness to those He has placed in your path. I am praying not just for you, but for those around you who do not yet know Him. May the God of all comfort be very near to you in this difficult trial as you cry out to Him. May others see in you the love, joy, and peace of a life in Christ, and long to know Him.”

God says, "I will be glorified." May others see our good works and glorify our Father who is in Heaven. Sometimes, if we're injured, ill, or disabled in some way, the “good work” we do is simply the work of faith. We can't run around and do the traditional active “good works” to help our family, friends, church, and community as we might have done before. Instead, we have more time to read God's word and meditate upon His truth. Our “good work” is to use this time wisely in increased devotion and intercessory prayer, accompanied by a gracious spirit which is yielded to the all-wise will of a loving Heavenly Father. Our sweet spirit shining through suffering will display God's grace to everyone around us.

Now, let me say, I myself have been laid up several times with serious injuries requiring bed-rest, and I did NOT display this sweet gracious attitude which brought honor to Christ! Far from it, as my family and friends will testify. This is my goal, however. Maybe God will keep allowing these injuries until I learn the lesson! God says, I WILL be glorified. He will do whatever is necessary in each of our lives to glorify His name.

Whether we're losing our looks due to cancer or just getting old, it's an opportunity to trust not in the flesh but in the Spirit. Pain and loss can make us weaker or stronger. It all depends on our attitude. My friend with cancer is showing a brave heart that trusts in the Lord and thanks Him for blessings. “I am so blessed.” She's already endured many hard things (not just losing her hair) and her journey is just beginning! Her courage is inspiring. I have no doubt that God loves her so much that He has chosen her to endure this suffering for His name's sake. In all of it, God will be glorified.

God is faithful,
j

“Then Moses said to Aaron, 'This is what the LORD has said: “Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.”' And Aaron held his peace.” Leviticus 10:3

“And he said to me, 'You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.'” Isaiah 49:3

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

“The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” John 17:22-23

“In order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11