Trusting God

I grew up with an alcoholic father and a mother who suffered from mental illness. My older sister, Linda, was the only family member I could rely on. I looked up to her in adulthood as well.

When Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer, I prayed every day that God would heal her. When cancer took her life at the young age of forty-one, I was so angry with God. I spent the next twelve years following in my father’s footsteps, drinking to help ease the heartache I felt in losing Linda. It wasn’t until I came very close to being charged with driving under the influence that I knew something had to change. I walked into a 12-step meeting, and though it wasn’t easy, I became sober and have kept my sobriety for the last fifteen years.

By studying the Bible and listening to many sermons along the way, I came to the realization that God did not take my sister from me — cancer did. My life is so much better today without alcohol, and God has blessed me with financial stability and a healthy lifestyle. We don’t have all the answers, but God does. We must learn to trust God even when things don’t go as we wish. God is truly our friend and never our enemy, even in times of deepest grief.