Trust in God's Grace

From Briannagrams: Melissa Gween Meek joins us to share her story of how a health concern found her trusting God’s grace.

From Melissa Gween Meek: Recently given a health concern that may be the C word, I am seeing how the past and surrendering to God has prepared me for this. It isn’t my first time with a cancer concern, but this time it comes with a trust in God to get me through it. He has in the past, a couple times. I just didn’t realize His presence over the health concerns I have had, but I am now feeling His peace.

Concerned But Not Worried

I am concerned but concern is much different than worry. Concern can move you forward but worry takes you nowhere.

Matthew 6:27 NIV “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

Somehow, I missed how my first mammogram showed spots, but when I went to my second and an added ultrasound, the spots of concern were brought up. Thinking this second set of tests were just a precautionary measure due to better clarity in reading results, I wasn’t prepared for what was shown and then discussed.

As I took a break while waiting to meet with the scheduling department, I sat in the hospital courtyard outside with a coffee and thought to myself how all this hit me out of nowhere. Then I thought back to 21 years ago this same month, I sat in another hospital courtyard outside numb over the news that my husband was terminal with brain cancer, secondary from Melanoma. We had days, possibly a few weeks at most. I was feeling that past uncertainty brewing up again, just like the steam from my hot coffee…

Acts 20:22-24 NIV “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”

Biopsies

Biopsies are now the next step, then the waiting for results. I could let fear consume me, but I refuse to let this interfere with my trust in God. The radiologist said these spots are a 5 in concern, on a scale between 1-10. So that told me this could go either way?

I have personally dealt with Melanoma in two different cases as well as basal cell carcinoma on my face. That last one was a real concern as the doctor wasn’t sure how much of my nose would need taken off and the possibility of a skin graft. Would I come out of recovery disfigured? Going in I had a peace I’ve never had before remembering I needed to hold on to the strength God has provided to me in the past, knowing He wouldn’t be absence this time. Minimal scarring was the result, mostly seen by me.

These last couple years have had its diagnoses and this one is pending, but surrendering to God is what I have learned has to be what holds you together. Because you yourself can’t do it, never was meant to. God is that perfect Father, perfect protection and comfort.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

Hope

Yes, I could get the diagnosed of breast cancer, and it will suck. But I believe firmly that God will be by my side just like He has in the past. Just like He has always been, but I hadn’t yet surrendered my trust in Him. Trials grow you spiritually and even when you can’t see through the darkest of dark, His light will flicker softly to give hope, to give comfort. You will start over again in a new normal, letting go of the past normal. The new normal will be good, if you hold tight to God’s hand and let Him lead you back into His grace and light.

Meet Melissa

Melissa Gween Meek makes North Canton, Ohio her home base, is a searching Christian, using the Word and writing devotions and personal essays to deepen her faith. Through her life experiences of losing a spouse at the age of 47 and experiencing health struggles, she aspires to help others through her love for putting words of hope on paper. You can find her devotions and personal essays on Christian Devotions Ministry; Faith at Every Corner; Just Between Us in Fall 2026; and on Candidly Christian as a Guest Blogger. Connect with her on Substack.

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Hope in the Healing: A 40-Day Journey Through Chronic Illness

Hope in the Healing: A 40-Day Devotional Journey Through Chronic Illness

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