“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” — Romans 8:37
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Sometimes it can be hard to perceive God’s hand in the midst of the story He’s writing for you, but when you hear someone else’s testimony, you know God’s hand was all over it. James Conner’s story is one of those. James played defensive lineman and running back for his high school football team, McDowell Senior High School, in Erie, Pennsylvania. As a senior, he rushed for 1,680 yards and 26 touchdowns on 155 carries, leading him to play college football at the University of Pittsburgh from 2013-2016.
James was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma —a type of cancer typically found in the younger population — in December 2015, and didn’t know what his future would hold. However, in 2016, a miracle happened: He overcame cancer. James finished out his Pitt Panther career as the ACC all-time touchdowns leader with 56 career touchdowns, the ACC all-time rushing touchdowns leader with 52, and was named first-team All-ACC in 2016. He was drafted as the 105th pick (third round) of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and is now a Pro Bowl running back playing for the Arizona Cardinals.
God has shown through James Conner’s testimony that He is a healer and can use all things for good. With God’s help, James was able to endure through the pain and overcome something as significant as cancer.
Though we may not always like our circumstances, God allows certain things to happen in life that help build endurance and grow our faith. God’s ultimate plan for our life is good (Jeremiah 29:11), even in the hard times.
Our own stories can feel difficult, and sometimes healing doesn’t come in the way we hope, but we can hold on to peace in the midst of trials because He has overcome this world on our behalf: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Remember that with God “everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23). Whatever the enemy intends to use for harm against you, God can — and will — use it for good (Genesis 50:20). Don’t give up or lose hope, but continue to put your trust in God. No word from God can fail (Luke 1:37) — in all things we are conquerers through Him who loves us!
— Travis Wilson
(Today’s devotional was submitted by the author from “Let’s Go! Weekly Devotions for Godly Competition in the Game of Life”)
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