I 
have never really given much thought about the word of the year concept. However, in the last two years I have become aware of two words that have become relevant to the events that have transpired in my life. Those two words are hope and perseverance.
Rejoice in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer. Romans 12:12 (NASB)
I started having health issues in 2014 with subsequent hospitalization. Followed by surgery in 2015 with a diagnosis of a rare type of cancer. It has been a journey filled with valleys, but I have always had hope. Hope that I am not alone and hope that God hears my prayers.
And He said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Luke 12:22-25(ESV)
Jesus told his disciples to not be anxious and to have faith. God knows what we need when we need it. Instead, we are to seek His Kingdom. That gives me hope to realize how much more He cares for me.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 (NASB)
My perseverance comes from navigating doctors’ appointments and tests to find the diagnosis as well as difficulties with the cost of medication, side effects and dealing with specialty pharmacies. There is little to no financial assistance for my type of cancer. However, I am learning with God’s help to ‘persevere in tribulation’. It is my journey and God is faithful to walk by my side and He has carried me when I wasn’t able make it on my own.
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Romans 5:3–4(ESV)
I want to be the person who has endurance (perseverance), character, and hope that comes from God’s love and care. My story continues with good days and some not so good. On those days I remember what my sweet 90-year-old mom says, “this is the day the Lord has made, and we will rejoice in it.” (Psalm 118:24 ESV) I am not Job or Paul, but my suffering is just as real and with hope and perseverance I will be able to, as Paul said, “endure the race.”
