Hey everyone! I want to begin by saying…thank you! Thank you for consistently praying for me and encouraging me each and every day. I am blessed. I am healed. I am transformed.
Remember when I first started this blog? When I promised transparency and complete explanations of my feelings and emotions surrounding breast cancer? Well, tonight’s post is a little different than the others…(you see) tonight’s post is a little touchy and can be misconstrued easily through a screen.
As we all know, last night was also very touchy and uncomfortable for most. I know I cringed during the debate and was not happy with all of the responses from either Trump or Biden. I turned off the television last night and was in shock at the responses from both Trump and Biden. Bullying. Ridiculing. Anger. Temperament. Hypocrisy. All of those words filled my head. I was not happy and could not believe or even fathom how some of the questions were worded and how many of them were answered…from BOTH sides.
I have thought about the debate a lot today. I was in disbelief and couldn’t believe what I had witnessed. However, I was also quickly reminded that I also was once guilty of bullying, ridiculing, quick to anger, unpleasant temperament (at times), and hypocrisy…BUT, I was redeemed. I was transformed. I asked Jesus to come into my life and to transform my heart and HE DID!
I began contemplating why I support the candidate of my choice and felt that it was laid on my heart to share my thoughts. My intentions are NOT to convince you to vote for Trump nor am I supporting his flaws. BUT, maybe this post will help release you from any bondage or sin that is oppressing you. To shine the light on Jesus and His ability to transform and forgive everyone. To encourage you to love others, even when disagreements occur. To renew your mind and remind you of what is good, acceptable, and perfect….which is God’s forgiveness and grace.
Donald Trump is not perfect. He even makes me uncomfortable at times with his statements and temperament. Which led to tonight’s blog entry:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
Do I agree with all of his actions and comments? No. Do I believe that he should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and not easily angered? Yes. Do I applaud his every move? No. Do I believe that he was selected by God to be our leader in a time such as this? Yes.
I have battled with the thought of posting this because I don’t want to offend others. I don’t want to offend those of my closest friends who do not support this man. I do not want to be labeled as racist, as inconsiderate, as judgmental, or as someone who is closed minded.
What I don’t mind being labeled as is… a Christian woman. A Christian woman who is afraid that my faith will be ruthlessly attacked by the other opponent. I do not want the foundation of my faith…the Holy Bible to be labeled as a book of false doctrine or a book that applauds slavery.
If you take time to read the Bible you will find that slavery was not applauded. Slavery was used as symbolism for the bondage that we face as sinners, the bondage of sin, the separation from God, the consequences that we will face being that sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden.
During my breast cancer journey, that I continue to endure each and every day, the hope and faith of those that were in slavery spoke to me. Although, the Israelites faced different challenges than I did…they were enslaved. They were in bondage. I didn’t realize it at the time but I was also in bondage. I was a slave to sin.
Then came August 30th…the peak of my bondage. The word cancer entered my life after I had an abnormal breast ultrasound. My world felt shattered. I was overwhelmed. I felt as if I was defeated. I felt singled out. I felt ashamed. I felt hurt. I felt as if I was being oppressed by my sin. The days were long and the nights were longer. I was battling with anxiety. My pride was taken. My heart was like that of stone.
You see the days leading up to August 30th…I prayed often for the Lord to soften my heart, to help remove my pride, arrogance, and ego. Never imagining that He would use a diagnosis of breast cancer to help transform my life. (For the record, I don’t believe…at all…that He was the cause of my cancer…but I do know He was able to perform a work in my life and transform me with a diagnosis that is so very dreaded.)
September 10…Biopsy day…the true beginning for confirmation of a diagnosis that I dreaded but deep down knew was lurking in the shadows (read my blog for information on that).
Immediately after the biopsy, I felt comforted. I felt the Holy Spirit come over me and I was at peace. Of course, I still had some fears but I knew that God had a plan for such a time as this. He would use me to bless others. He would walk along side me and never forsake me.
I began reading my Bible and reading Christian books about bondage, slavery, disappointments, hardships, and anxieties. Then it all became clear to me…just as the Israelites were in bondage and enslaved…so was I. I was living for the world and not of The Word. But, God revealed to me through the story of enslavement that He will never leave me and never abandon me.
Which brings me back to the original point of my post…do I believe that Trump is the best example of a President? No. Do I agree with him on ALL stances? No!!! But, I do thank God that he will take a stand for what has been the biggest blessing and transformation of my life…Jesus Christ and my right of religion. Although, the Bible states that we will face persecution during the End Times…I still don’t want to go down without a fight for my faith.
So yes, I wholeheartedly believe that God is all-knowing and in complete control of EVERYTHING…but we have free will. So get out and vote…not for the individual who is politically correct or the one who is most favored. View this as an election to stand up for your faith. I cannot support a candidate that will not stand up for what is most important to me…my faith.
And for those who will say…”Donald Trump is the farthest thing from a Christian. He is arrogant. He is prideful. He is full of ego. He is full of hate. He is aggressive. He is evil.” Well, so was I up until my salvation, but I thank God daily that my life isn’t scrutinized by the media and the public eye. I thank God that He did not shun me and turn His back on me while I was full of the same things. Instead he used an evil, hateful, and aggressive diagnosis to TRANSFORM me.
With Love,
Anna Vaggalis
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.“ John 15:12
PS. To my friends who have different views, I love you! My love for you will not change. God desires for us to love everyone as we love ourselves. I hope that you,too, can love me and understand my stance. I never intended to offend anyone and Jesus didn’t either, but it didn’t protect Him from being ridiculed for His beliefs. In fact, His beliefs and teachings is what ultimately led to his persecution and RESURRECTION! Show love. Not hate. We can agree to disagree and still love one another.
ANNA.COURTNEY 