Don’t Take Cancer Sitting Down!, November 1
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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By Dan Held
Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand (Psalm 37:24 NIV).
The great American inventor, Charles Kettering, owned 186 patents—including for most automobile parts using electricity. He is quoted as saying, “Keep on going and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down.”1
I recall one of my wife’s first responses to her breast cancer diagnosis. She remarked, “I’m not going to take this sitting down.” She got up and began preparations for surgery as recommended. Her cancer journey began in earnest, and she thought she was prepared. However, her first surgery failed to clear the margins, and she would face a second surgery within another week. We all felt the impact of this news, but for Sue it felt like a stumble. So soon after determining she’d not take this sitting down and was all ready for her journey, cancer flashed its own DETOUR sign.
Kettering was right. There are stumbling blocks along every journey and all the preparation in the world cannot prevent them. This is especially true for the journey of cancer—once we leave that comfy chair and start moving forward.
Stumbling blocks.
We’re not always prepared for them, but our God is. Hence, in our verse for today, the psalmist proclaimed these words of reassurance: “Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”
You will notice that the verse does not say “if he may stumble.…” God knows stumbling blocks are a part of each of our lives. He knows your good cancer days and bad. He knows cancer difficulties do not end on the last day of treatment. He knows every detail of your cancer journey and He knows that for every stumble, He will be there to catch you with His mighty hand.
Know this: When you journey with God, He will see you start to go down—and reach out to brace your fall and stand you back upright again.
First, you must decide to not take cancer sitting down. Then, you must trust God’s upholding hand.
Pray: Trustworthy God, as I leave my chair this day I may indeed stumble along my journey, perhaps when I least expect it. Thank You for seeing and saving me, as You always will. Grant me the faith to lean upon Your strong hand. Amen.
Your Turn: With God’s help, prepare to turn your stumbling blocks into stepping stones!
1. “Forbes Quotes.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine. Accessed January 21, 2022. https://www.forbes.com/quotes/1592/.
Dan Held, Cancer Caregiver
Dan is a cancer caregiver who lives with his wife (Sue) of 55 years in Dayton, Ohio, where Sue has been free from breast cancer and colon cancer for two years! Dan is an ordained pastor and a licensed therapist with a heart for families touched by cancer at any stage. He is dedicated to promoting the message of more love and less fear in all aspects of his ministry and life. Check out his blog at www.danielkheld.com.
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