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Parenting
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Marriage
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Culture
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Policy
Host:
Dr. James Dobson
Guest(s):
Ms. Yvonne Ortega
Host: Dr. James Dobson
October 02, 2012
Breast cancer survivor, Yvonne Ortega shares her response when others said that if she just had MORE faith, then she would be healed. She knew that couldn't be true , after all, why didn't the Lord remove the Apostle Paul's "thorn in the flesh?" She'll discuss REAL help for this journey.
When I received my diagnosis of cancer in 2001, I was an award-winning teacher and part-time counselor. I loved teaching, but I knew God wanted me to go into counseling full-time. After my diagnosis, I begged God to let me live and promised to do whatever he wanted.
One month after I finished radiation, I received a phone call to go for an interview for a position I hadn't applied for. At the interview, I accepted a full-time job as a substance abuse counselor in a men's prison. I enjoyed my work at the prison, but the men were allowed to smoke. My asthma got worse, and after a few years, I had to leave.
I told God to take away my passion for prison work or find me a job in a smoke-free facility. He found me a job as a substance abuse counselor in a smoke-free coed jail. After six months, adult outpatient services at the agency headquarters needed a bilingual licensed professional counselor. Once again, God moved me.
I no longer work in adult outpatient services but work as a full-time speaker and author. As a cancer survivor, I know life is a gift and that God is "close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18, NIV). Through my counseling, speaking, and writing, the Lord has allowed me to join him in saving those who are crushed in spirit and need his hope. What a privilege!
