Anxiety, October 21
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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By Karen Wonders
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV).
Ann was a dear patient we had the opportunity to serve at Maple Tree Cancer Alliance for more than a year. When she first came to us, it was obvious that she felt defeated by life. Ann grew up in an abusive household and married a man who continued the cycle of abuse. Her stress was so severe that her physician suggested it could have been the root cause of her breast cancer. She told us that she couldn’t sleep. She had a hard time eating. She was alienated from her family and could not maintain long-lasting friendships. She felt worthless and utterly alone. She even mused that “it would be good if cancer would end [her] life,” because she didn’t see the point in living.
Wow. How do you overcome that? How do you overcome such strong feelings of despair that life no longer seems worth living?
While the connection between stress and cancer is weak, there is no denying that this woman was experiencing a great deal of anxiety. Although she didn’t see it initially, we pointed out to her that deep down, somewhere inside of her, was a woman who was willing to fight back. After all, that is what brought her to our exercise oncology center! Why exercise, learn how to eat healthy, and explore your relationship with God if you don’t have a desire to live?
It is likely that the rest of us might not be experiencing anxiety to the same degree as Ann, but there is no denying that anxiety is a human condition. We all struggle with it from time to time. If left unchecked, anxiety could overtake us in the same way it did Ann. When we experience anxiety, we are depending on ourselves, rather than God. We are trusting in our own abilities. Yet, in essence, we are tormenting ourselves, robbing ourselves of peace, and bringing about fatigue and sickness.
The opposite of anxiety is faith. Faith that God is who He says He is. Faith that God will come through. Faith that God will keep His promise to take care of our burdens. Psalm 55:22 instructs us to cast our cares on the Lord, and He will sustain us.
The cure for anxiety is trust. God wants us to place our trust in Him and enter into His rest. He wants us to totally abandon everything into His care. There will always be situations that cause us concern, but when those feelings creep up, God wants us to go to Him in prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
When we trust God, He will help us handle anything life brings our way!
Pray: Father God, sometimes life can be so overwhelming. It is so easy to allow my mind to give way to fear. Despair can so easily creep in and make itself at home in my heart. Father, when anxiety comes, renew my faith in You. Help me to trust in You and abandon everything into Your care. You are bigger than anything I will ever face! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Your Turn: Where do you desperately need God to come through for you? Go to God in prayer and talk to Him about the one thing you are the most anxious about. Ask Him for the power to live out Philippians 4:6-7 while you wait on Him!
Karen Y. Wonders, PhD, FACSM, Cancer Caregiver
Karen is the Founder and CEO of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, and Professor/Program Director of Exercise Physiology at Wright State University. Her passion is to advocate for exercise as part of the national standard of care for cancer. Her non-profit organization provides free exercise training to thousands of cancer survivors every month (www.mapletreecanceralliance.org). Dr. Wonders and her husband have 7 children—aged 16 and younger. If you think her hands are full, you should see her heart!
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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