I closed my eyes, prayed, and opened my Bible to this Scripture: Again, Job answered and said:“Though I know my complaint is bitter, his hand is heavy upon me in my groanings. Oh, that today I might find him, that I might come to his judgment seat!” 

It reminded me of when I was deeply depressed. I almost died from COVID-19 pneumonia, wore oxygen for six months, and then, four weeks after ridding the oxygen, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I was so angry. Every day, I deal with fibromyalgia pain and arthritis. I had fought so hard to live, and now the word cancer dripped from my doctor’s lips. I did not understand why I was even on earth. My groanings were bitter, and the anger consumed me. Why couldn’t I die and go to heaven where there is no pain? Why couldn’t God heal me? I thought I’d suffered enough and was ready for judgment day.

Simply going through the motions, I completed two lumpectomies and fifteen radiation sessions, then rang the bell. But I did not celebrate because I did not feel healed. I really did not feel anything. A year passed. Every day I thought about how the cancer could return.

Then a friend with stage-four breast cancer made a comment that changed my outlook: “My daughter and I were talking, and I said something about when my time comes…”

That stopped my heart for a moment. I finally said a healing prayer, and I could see heaven in my mind. I had no reason to be depressed. I wanted to go to heaven where there is no pain, heartache, or death, but God determines when I go. God has given us a beautiful promise: to look forward to heaven.

Things became clear. God was preparing me for heaven, and praying for my family members to join me in heaven became my most important task.

Why not say this simple daily prayer: Dear God, please help me prepare myself and my family for heaven. Then listen. God will heal your heart and lead you to actions that will guide you and your family to your eternal destination.