Jessica Breland is a 6 foot 3 basketball player for the North Carolina Tar Heels. Going into her senior year she was averaging 9.1 points per game and 3.1 blocks per game. Just when she thought things could not get any better her world was turned upside down. She was diagnosed with cancer. Because of Breland’s strength, the doctors gave her some of the strongest chemotherapy treatments, and really pushed her to a full recovery, and she did just that.
Breland said earlier on epsn to her coach that she is the woman she is today because of cancer, and that she is thankful for who it has made, and she would not take it back. She also mentions in her article, “I get something back in return from it, because I experienced it," she added. "It's like a bond between me and people with cancer, because we've been through it, or we're going through it.”
When Breland was finally cleared to practice, she started noticing extreme fatigue problems. Part of this was because her lungs took much damage during chemotherapy. She also say’s, “I'm sure I could go anywhere else and play and be in good shape for practice, but for our practice, it's not quite there.” Brealand is now playing in her senior year, and has really filled in a leadership role that her coach said they lacked last year.
When I read this article I was reminded of Phil. 4:4. Which says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say Rejoice.” She says earlier that she would change what she went through because it made her who she was today. This is how we are supposed to respond as Christians when God puts trials of any kind in front of us. What makes this story even more remarkable is nothing is mention about her being a Christian, yet she still looks at this moment with optimism and with rejoicing.
Is there anything in your life right where you should be rejoicing, but instead you have maybe been a little bitter? I know for me it is easy for that to happen, and I have to constantly be examining my life, and seeing if I am bitter about anything. I hope this article encourages you, as it did me. Also there are many other articles are on her that are just as encouraging.
This is an evidence of a "will power" for existence. It reveals to us that nothing can stop our dreams if we do not stop it ourselves. It is very fascinating to see her come out of this turmoil and yet remain strong. Keep going and stay strong. God bless your heart.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post and words of encouragement behind it. With God anything and all things are possible. It is good to see she is getting back to form. It is always good to hear stories about people who beat cancer and are recovering from the treatments.
ReplyDelete