^{Support Registry Update}

Moving from WHY to HOW

In support of
Greg Anderson

So...There are good days and bad days. I've felt pretty good today. In light of that, I want to share about a critical juncture in the journey that has been a real game-changer for me. As for treatment, I will finish radiation next week, and then there is a wait time before additional testing to measure any success or failure. We will certainly provide updates when that time comes.
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Moving from WHY to HOW has been the most significant shift in my thinking in the last week. I have exhausted a ridiculous amount of thought and energy on trying to get an answer on the WHY question. Why do I have this cancer? Why am I in this situation? Why me? In essence, Asking “WHY” is me looking for an answer I will never get in this lifetime.

In my time listening and leaning into Jesus, He has reminded me that this is NOT ABOUT ME! I am part of a greater story that’s unfolding, and I have no control over the script. But I do have control over HOW I respond and HOW I go through this trial.

SO…. A significant shift for me is moving all that mental energy from asking “WHY?” to now asking “HOW?”

How do I go through this trial?
How do I respond to hardship?
How do I live out the faith that I have had for so many years?
HOW…is now real question!

It just seems natural that we would all seek a WHY in a crisis. Yet, its really an opportunity to turn our attention to asking God for His help in learning HOW we can or should handle our difficult circumstances.

Michelle Hamer
almost 2 years ago

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Comments

Roger Karnes almost 2 years ago

What you said about the HOW Greg reminds me of my wonderful Pat. She never ever question WHY, but the HOW with her was to Glorify our Heavenly Father at every opportunity she had especially with those that came to see her. Many of the visitors would say to me as they left they had come to be a blessing to her, but they said they were the one's that got blessed. That was the HOW for her Praising and Glorifying our Savior.

Carol Bryant almost 2 years ago

I see your approach to ‘this season’ in the same way I’ve seen you always approached everything…. With grace and calmness!! I love you so much!! ❤️🙏🥰

Carol Bryant almost 2 years ago

I see your approach to ‘this season’ in the same way I’ve seen you always approached everything…. With grace and calmness!! I love you so much!! ❤️🙏🥰

Patricia Novoa almost 2 years ago

Praying and praying for you

Guillermo Novoa almost 2 years ago

Vincent van Gogh once wrote these words in a letter to his brother, “If you hear a voice within you saying, ‘You are not a painter, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.’” I’m aware of plenty of “you are not” voices in my life. I wonder what my life would look like if I responded to those negative voices as invitations to discover a hidden purpose and creative calling.

Kim Dolson almost 2 years ago

Thank you for sharing this perspective. Your focus on the Lord “in real time” is inspiring. I needed to hear this reminder. And it carries a lot of weight coming from you. You’re being used by God. So again, thank you for sharing. Praying now for you both.

Faith Roehm almost 2 years ago

We all Love you so much and are praying

Deborah Adcock almost 2 years ago

Thank you for your thoughts and perspective change with us Greg. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We continue to pray for a miracle! And we are praying that God helps you live your faith out loud while going through this very difficult time in your life, Jesus love shines through you, and you are showing others HIS love, grace and hope.

Mark Nicolas almost 2 years ago

Love you big guy. Always praying.

Larry Dubin almost 2 years ago

Yeppy! Please read Paul’s letter to the Philippians! Remember!! LSD. REJOICE ALWAYS. LIVE/SUFFER/DIE. PHIL 2:8! Lord’s best. Larry

Nancy Henry almost 2 years ago

So much love, respect and gratitude for you and your family for an abundance of reasons…continuing to pray and trusting in God’s sovereignty and healing hand…❤️

Susan Clark almost 2 years ago

Hi Pastor Greg - we are thinking of you and praying for you daily! Please know that you are sooooo truly loved - both you and Joanie! You are so right - we will never know “why” in our lifetime; however, we do know that the Lord uses us (his children) to bring others to Him! He often asks us to “champion” a hardship or a cause in this life so He can use it for His good! It’s not easy but if what we go thru brings souls to salvation - it is so worth it! Just know as you champion this tough illness that the Lord is walking with you and carrying you thru every step! It is way too big for us to handle and this is where we give it ALL to Him and trust Him thru the process - it’s faith in action! The Lord has lots of people for you to meet and share with thru this journey so share with your love, kindness and faith and you will be a great witness! In the meantime just know you are a warrior on a mission and we are all behind you supporting you and praying for you! We love YOU, Pastor Greg and Joanie!

Janet Ciccone almost 2 years ago

It is a human reaction at first to ask “why” and God does want us to ask the questions even argue with Him. For me I called unloading on God who is a Big God and can take anything. Afterwards I feel God saying are you done with it? Now let’s move on and gives a new perspective. Thank you for allowing us to come along side with you during this time and still ministering to us. Praying daily.

Sonia Cargill almost 2 years ago

Praying for you Greg. Thank you for showing us your realness. Much love.

Marcus White almost 2 years ago

I love you guys so much and praying for you guys the same way y’all prayed for me God works in the unknown and makes himself KNOWN! I love you with all of my heart

Barbara Murphy almost 2 years ago

Dear Pastor Greg and Joanie: thanks so much for sharing your thoughs and journey . Thanks for always showing the fruiits of Tne Holy Spirit in you , for using this difficult time to teach us a great lesson of endurance and faith . You have always made and impact in my life and family and want to thank you for that. We of course are surrounding you and your beautifil family with prayer for The Good Lord to continue to walk with you and hold your hand and heart every day, every second . Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; is a verse that The Lord brougth to my mind this week . Psalms 27:14 is also one of the verses that God has used to talk to me and responded to my cry and questioning in a very difficult time ., “Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord”. 🙏🌅💙

Coachkilpatrick almost 2 years ago

AMEN!! Reminds me of Romans 5: 3-4

Oscar Oporto almost 2 years ago

Dear Pastor Greg, I am praying that God's love will bring strength and healing to you. May His healing presence overshadow you today, providing comfort during this time of illness. I pray that you will draw strength from God's amazing love, and find peace in His grace as you rest and recover. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

George Pojoga almost 2 years ago

You have always been an inspiration and stil continue, although you are alone in the treatment room, you are not alone. Pray God will do a miracle.

Honor Weber almost 2 years ago

“Why Me” is also the craziest invitation that few of us want to RSVP to. I think CS Lewis nailed it in The Problem of Pain. “You would like to know how I behave when I am experiencing pain, not writing books about it. You need not guess, for I will tell you; I am a great coward... If I knew any way of escape I would crawl through sewers to find it. But what is the good of telling you about my feelings? You know them already; they are the same as yours. I am not arguing that pain is not painful. Pain hurts. That is what the word means. I am only trying to show that the old Christian doctrine of being made 'perfect through suffering' is not incredible. To prove it palatable is beyond my design.” Praying for you…just be you through all of it. He knows you through and through and has no lofty expectations of you as you travel this new road. He allowed it to sift through His fingers like sand into your life only as a Hand as sovereign as His could do…who will ever know why? Even “How” is a hard question…it’s even ok not to ask yourself anything right now...sometimes He just lets us sit in the middle of something and curl up on His lap and not do anything but sit there and cling to His robe. As we mature in Christ we often feel we need to delve into the deeper questions like meat vs milk. Yet David reminds us “I have calmed and quieted myself like a child weaned at its mother’s breath”. I’m praying for you daily to just rest your head in His lap. Then the “How” will just happen all by itself.

Shara Carara almost 2 years ago

Thank you for sharing this pivotal transition in your journey. "...But I have trusted in Your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with me" (Psalm 13:5-6) Praying for and with you for miraculous healing in Jesus' name and for His glory!!

Lynn Grammer almost 2 years ago

Greg your wisdom has always helped me with any “Why” questions I had so now my prayer is for you to hear so clearly God’s answer to “How”. Prayers for courage and strength. Love you all.

Carrie Harris almost 2 years ago

We love you and your family, Greg. I have asked God “why” about your situation too, knowing I won’t receive that answer. You are wrapped in prayer. Your life continues to be a testimony of your faith. ❤️🙏🏻

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