Those of us who have lost a loved one to disease or have loved ones who are fighting an illness, or who dread its possible return, may sometimes feel as though we're about to be overwhelmed with fear, or that God has abandoned us or doesn't care about our battles. But God's love for us is not wishful thinking. It is not a mirage in the desert of life on earth. HE REALLY DOES LOVE US, AND HE UNDERSTANDS. The Bible tells us, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18). If you or a loved one are facing disease, or as you mourn one whose life ended because of a terrible illness, remember that God says to those who love him, "Fear not, for I am with you . . . I will strengthen you, I will help you" (Isaiah 41:10). God is not an absentee father--he is a present help and refuge. We cannot see him, we cannot physically hear his voice, we cannot literally feel his touch, but he is here with us in our times of crisis. God wants to connect with us, to encourage us in our difficulties and give comfort to our souls (Psalm 62:1-2). God does care about us, he has not abandoned us. He is a compassionate heavenly Father. We do not have to face our trials and fears alone. The ultimate proof of God's love for us was sending Jesus to die on the cross for us, taking the punishment our sins deserve, then rising from the grave three days later. As 1 John 4:9 tells us, "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world to die in place of sinners], so that we might live through him." And John 3:36 says "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life." How wonderful it is to know that all who trust him fully find eternal life through him: "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13). Because of Jesus Christ, who is the God-Man and our Great High Priest, we have a Savior who understands and sympathizes with our weakness (Hebrews 4:14-16). And the Spirit, whom God has given to those who have placed their faith in Jesus, "intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words" as we wrestle with living in a sinful, broken world and await the day when all things will be made right (Romans 8:18-27). All those who place their trust for forgiveness and eternal life completely on Jesus Christ, who died for them and rose again, can say with the words of Psalm 23: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.He leads me beside stil