Vegard, age eight, and Sondre, age six, are enjoying the spring weather on their small farm in Løten
where they live with their parents Øystein and Frøydis.
On this peaceful spring day, there is little evidence of the spiritual warfare
44-year-old Frøydis has waged these past two years.
One November day in 2008, Frøydis Bratlie received devastating news.
She had cancer and would need several operations,
chemotherapy, and radiation treatments.
You get many thoughts and temptations to be anxious
about the future,
and how it would go for the children, for example.
Frøydis grew up in a Christian home, and was a devout Christian from her youth time.
Nevertheless, she was plagued by thoughts of doubt as a teenager.
I doubted God's existence; I doubted Jesus
because I couldn't see him!
Frøydis got help when she read the story about Thomas in John 20.
Thomas did not believe that Jesus had arisen from the dead,
until he saw Jesus' nail holes.
The same words Jesus said to Thomas strengthened Frøydis at that time:
"Because you have seen Me, you have believed.
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
I decided that if Jesus could say that to Thomas,
then I could just choose to believe
even if I cannot see Him!
The important thing is to decide I want to believe,
and then begin to resist the thoughts of unbelief.
Then we overcome!
After being diagnosed with cancer, Frøydis had to go through several treatments.
The most difficult of these was the chemotherapy, which broke down her body little by little.
This put her faith to the test.
On two occasions, I was struck with an overwhelming anxiety.
I think it might have been the fear of death.
I had gone to bed, when waves of darkness seemed to wash over me.
We started praying
and after a while I fell asleep.
A few days later, it happened again.
I had gone to bed, and the black waves of darkness started to wash over me.
Then I thought, "Now I'll go downstairs to be alone in the living room."
I went down, knelt on my knees, and started praying.
I didn't know what to pray because everything was so dark.
So I prayed, "Dear Jesus, dear Jesus, dear Jesus,"
for a long time,
when suddenly, it became bright
and quiet.
I was filled with an incredible peace.
I got up and realized I was hungry,
so I got a snack, sat down in the living room in the middle of the night,
and had an enjoyable time.
Since then, I haven't been tried like that with anxiety.
But if it comes back,
I know the battle tactics!
As a mother, my first thoughts were about my children.
thoughts that came when she stood face to face with death.
And when those thoughts have wanted to weigh me down,
I have taken hold of a scripture in Isaiah 45:11.
There it is written:
"Ask Me of things to come
concerning My sons; and concerning the work of My hands." (let Me care for My children... Norw. translation)
So I cast that care on Jesus
and after that, those thoughts have not bothered me any more.
I am not anxious about the future or my children
because I know that God cares.
Now this day is also finished.
Now it is spring and almost summer!
Vegard, you can have one, too!
Come Sondre, let's go in and make some dinner
or would you rather stay outside and play some more?
Frøydis experienced that her faith held firm
and the dark thoughts were forced to leave.
There is not a single thought that is so dark,
and there isn't a single spiritual power that is so strong
that Jesus has not already conquered it!
And by that same power,
I can also conquer these spiritual powers.
Frøydis has used God's Word, prayer, and edifying songs as spiritual weapons,
which have helped her not to lose her joy during this time.
In a life's event like this, it doesn't come naturally to be particularly joyful.
By nature, I could never have remained happy.
I have had many negative thoughts and temptations.
But I have acknowledged my weakness,
I have admitted that I need help,
and then I have sought help at the throne of grace;
I have remained near to God,
and God has given me strength.
So now, the joy of the Lord has become my strength.
The grueling cancer treatment made Frøydis quite ill,
and she was bedridden for long periods of time.
Negative thoughts came and made it very dark.
And then I thought, "Now I need to resist these thoughts!"
I used my i-Pod
and listened to the song, "You've placed your hand upon the plow -
Press on, don't tire!"
I played that many times
until the dark thoughts disappeared.
One scripture in particular became very meaningful to Frøydis.
Ephesians 6:13
Take up the full armor of God
so that we can withstand in the evil day
and having done all, to stand!
This verse has become my motto!
Despite outward circumstances, Frøydis and her family can look back on a rewarding time.
That inner joy, and conviction that God cares for me,
that made me happy. And I am happy!
Regardless of how my body feels.
Today the cancer is gone and the family of four is living a peaceful life at Løten.
But Frøydis still lives with the possibility of a relapse.
I believe I am cancer free,
but there will always be a potential for a relapse.
However, I have learned to be thankful for that uncertainty,
because it helps me to understand the seriousness of the shortness of life.
So now I use my days to put the virtues of Christ into practice.
I exercise myself in being thankful,
exercise myself in being patient,
exercise myself in being kind.
And then I exercise myself in blessing those around me!
And I become more and more liberated
from the sin that destroys people.
Therefore, I have a happy life,
And my great hope is to meet Jesus.
That is something I am looking forward to in the midst of my happy life here on earth.