A Sure Thing, January 12
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Thomas Sherrod
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19a NIV).
Our oldest daughter began looking at prospective colleges during her junior year of high school. We visited schools in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. She wanted to tour one last school before deciding on her top three. The last school was extremely small and less well-known. I was tired of the search process and felt sure she would not choose this last school. To my regret, I wrote on our refrigerator memo board my prediction of her attending. I arrogantly scribbled a “0.00000015% chance” of her choosing that school. I was sure she wasn’t going. I don’t have to tell you which college she chose. Life is too funny. Too often a sure thing turns out not to be so definite. Maybe a trusted friend betrays a confidence or a “too good to be true” business plan goes sour.
In today’s verse, the author of Hebrews offers a bold assurance concerning the promises of God. Our hope in God is described as an anchor for the soul. Paul told the Ephesians (and us) that when we trust in Christ “we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4:14 NKJV). The world will challenge your faith. The winds of change and doubt will rock your boat. Satan will offer lies and deception attempting to sidetrack your faith journey. But Christ promises to be an anchor for your soul.
Cancer is a storm. Its winds and waves come unannounced. We may know that the possibility of learning we have cancer is always present. We may have done everything possible to lower our chances of receiving a cancer diagnosis. Yet, the storm comes, and it takes us by surprise. Where do we turn for security? Excellent physicians, new medicines and cutting-edge procedures provide hope.
Nevertheless, every medicine has its side effects. Every physician is a flawed human being. Many new treatments are experimental. Even so, the words of Scripture remind us that God’s Word is an anchor for our soul. What does that mean? It means our ship may be tossed to and fro, but it will not sink. It means we know God will not abandon us. It means no matter how bad you hurt, God’s promises are a sure thing in an unpredictable world. His love is solid. His presence is unwavering. His Word is eternal. Christ is an anchor for your soul. Trust Him.
Pray: Lord, thank You for being my security and my rock. The chances of You leaving or forsaking me are zero. You always surprise me with joy! I am grateful for being included in Your eternal family of faith. Amen.
Your Turn: Try reading Psalm 46 aloud every day for a week. (This psalm inspired the words to the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”) Ask God to help you practice “being still and knowing that He is God” (see Psalm 46:10).
Thomas Sherrod, Cancer Survivor
Tom is a retired hospital chaplain who works part time for Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health System in North Carolina. He organized and facilitated a cancer support group for twenty years as part of his hospital ministry. He is married for forty-four years and enjoys his three daughters, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren. He is a recent survivor of prostate cancer and is immensely thankful for all of God's grace and provisions through it all.
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
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